Training held to sharpen govt department officials’ M & E skills
By Caleb Chikwawawa
Several representatives from different government departments on Thursday went through training on monitoring and evaluating their works as part of efforts by government to improve efficiency and effectiveness within its appendage departments .
The workshop, held in Harare, was attended by focal persons drawn across government ministries, departments and agencies.
Speaking on behalf of Jorum Gumbo, who is special advisor to the president on monitoring implementation of government programmes and projects, Fananai Madambi highlighted the “critical role of government data collection and analysis”.
Madambi, who is Secretary for National Monitoring Evaluation and learning in the Office of the President and Cabinet, said monitoring, evaluation and learning is essential for effective governance.
“It is undeniable truth that modern and effective governance is fundamentally anchored on data. In today’s dynamic policy landscape, the ability to systematically correct, analyse and apply data is the backbone of informed decision making and sustainable national development.
“A data driven approach ensures that policies are responsive, resources are optimally allocated and progress is measured against clearly defined benchmarks,” Madambi said.
Representing Edward Kangwa, who is Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for the UN systems in Zimbabwe, Henry Damisoni, said that data-driven evaluation systems are essential in achieving national goals.
“Strengthening data-driven evaluation systems in Zimbabwe is integral to achieving the goals of the National Vision 2030 agenda, aimed at transforming Zimbabwe into an upper-middle-income country, and advancing the devolution agenda,” said Damisoni, who is Country Director for United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS.
By integrating data-driven evaluations, he said, Zimbabwe can “enhance policy effectiveness data-driven evaluations, generate actionable evidence that directly informs better policy design, aligning with Vision 2030’s objective of creating efficient and sustainable public policies”.
He said the approach will also improve resource allocation evaluation findings ensuring that funding is directed to high-impact initiatives adding that this is vital for achieving the Vision 2030 target of economic growth and development, while also supporting the equitable distribution of resources under the devolution framework.
