By Edwin Mauluka

Malawi’s First Vice President Justice Jane Ansah says the Public Sector Reforms Information Management System (PSRIMS) will promote citizen participation and track progress of reforms being undertaken by the government

Addressing stakeholders on Thursday during the launch of PSRIMS at the Bingu International Conference Centre (BICC) in Lilongwe, Ansah noted that the country has for many years faced deteriorating performance of reforms resulting in poor delivery of public services.

Ansah noted that the launch marks the milestone in service delivery as this modernises public administration while strengthening accountability in service delivery.

“It is particularly pleasing to note that once the system is operationalised, the general public—who are at the centre of our governance structure—will also have access to it.” she said adding: “This will allow citizens to appreciate the game-changing reforms their government is implementing, track progress, and, where necessary, offer meaningful suggestions for improvement through the Secretariat. With this new system, no one will be left behind.”

Ansah said this is the right time to bring about real change by embracing positive transformation driven by the digitalisation of service delivery systems.

In his inaugural address and subsequent address to Parliament, President Peter Mutharika, bemoaned the persistent lack of efficient service delivery across the Public Service and stressed his government’s desire to champion wide-ranging reforms to improve performance in the public sector.

Echoing the President’s commitment, Ansah said the new administration will promote reforms to enhance quality of services, access, timeliness, reliability, and responsiveness to citizens’ needs through citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in service delivery.

She expressed hope that the system will assist in fixing the country’s broken systems and has since asked reforms officers to reform themselves in order to reform the system.

“The change we seek must begin with us. Let me urge all MDAs to embrace this system wholeheartedly. A reform bears fruit only when it is fully institutionalised. Therefore, let us view this not merely as a launch event, but as a critical juncture that propels us to the next level— beginning to use the system in earnest as a strategic tool to drive efficiency, strengthen responsiveness, and ensure that the people of Malawi benefit from a capable and modern public service,” emphasised Ansah.

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