By: Lamin B. Darboe
The Ministry of Public Service (MoPS) Tuesday concluded two-day training for eight records officers, two cadet officers and three administrative officers.
The trainees were drawn from MoPS, the Personnel Management Office (PMO) and the National Records Services (NRS).
Speaking at the event, Permanent Secretary for Reforms at MoPS, Sheriff Jallow, said government personnel file management has long posed challenges for civil servants.
He described the training as a valuable opportunity for records officers, urging participants to take pride in their selection and give maximum attention to the sessions.
Mr. Jallow noted that the initiative would contribute to strengthening the human resource system within the public service.
Also addressing the trainees, the Director of Reforms at MoPS, Alhagie Jallow, who leads the national Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) project, said the training forms a critical component of the ongoing HRMIS implementation across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).
“Personal files are not merely folders of papers but official records of a civil servant’s career, including appointment, promotion, postings, qualifications, disciplinary history and service record,” he said.
He added that for decades, such records have underpinned human resource decision-making in the public service but have often been affected by poor storage conditions, incomplete documentation, missing records and physical deterioration.
According to him, the HRMIS initiative presents an opportunity to digitize, preserve and safeguard these records to ensure accessibility, accuracy and durability.
Mr. Jallow emphasizes that proper preparation of files before scanning is essential, noting that the quality of digitized records depends on the condition of the original documents.
He says sorting, cleaning, repairing and organizing files are fundamental steps for the success of the project.
He further stressed the importance of diligence and integrity in handling personnel records.
“The records you will handle belong to civil servants who have dedicated their careers to public service. Every file must be treated with utmost care and respect,” he said, adding that adherence to protocols is necessary to protect data integrity and individual rights.
On behalf of MoPS, Mr. Jallow expressed appreciation to the technical lead consultant, 2M Corp, and the project team for their efforts in organizing the training.
