Public service ministry rewarded

Senior Reporter
The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare has scooped the Government Department/Ministry of the Year Award for its role in facilitating easy operations between Government, non-governmental organisations in the country and local communities.National Association of Non Governmental Organizations (NANGO) made the recognition on the sidelines of the annual Non Governmental Directors Summer School event. NANGO is the official coordinating body for all non-governmental organisations operating in Zimbabwe.

Adjudication for the award was coordinated by Sadc Council of NGOs, a regional NGO apex body. In granting the award, the adjudicators considered the Ministry’s efforts in creating an enabling environment for NGOs.

In a statement of acceptance, the Mrs Priscah Mupfumira-headed ministry said: “The Ministry of Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare is greatly honoured and humbly accepts the award bestowed on it by the National Association of Non Governmental Organisations.

“The award is not only prestigious but is recognition of the strides that has been made by the Ministry in creating platforms for cooperation, dialogue, scrutiny and assessment by the civil society. “On behalf of the Government of Zimbabwe, we take pride in receiving the award hard on the heels of a meeting that saw us engage local and international NGOs to unpack the Food Deficit Mitigation Programme in a bid to iron out issues pertaining to the Food Mitigation Strategy.

“The ministry recognizes and acknowledges the support that is rendered by NGOs as they compliment Government’s efforts in improving the lives of vulnerable members of society. “The ministry fervently hopes to continue strengthening cooperation with NANGO and the rest of the civil society in improving the lives of Zimbabweans.”

The ministry works closely with several NGOs in providing assistance to numerous communities and households across the country.