Swearing-in in Juba sets the tone
South Sudan’s newly appointed Minister of Public Service and Human Resource Development, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, says capacity building for civil servants will be his leading priority. He made the commitment during his swearing-in ceremony in Juba on Wednesday.
Service delivery and labour market focus
In his remarks, Gatkuoth linked training to improved service delivery and a stronger labour market. He presented these goals as central to his ministerial agenda, arguing that skills development can raise performance across government institutions.
Why the ministry matters for governance
Gatkuoth described the ministry as instrumental to the functioning of government. He said a skilled and professional public service is essential for effective governance, positioning human resource development as a practical lever for public administration.
Training that lasts beyond public employment
The minister said investment in training should improve performance while employees are in service and help them remain productive after leaving government. He stressed that public service is not permanent and that workers ultimately retire.
Retirement, pensions and transferable skills
Pointing to pensions and retirement, Gatkuoth argued that civil servants should be equipped with relevant skills to compete in the wider labour market. “I will prioritize capacity building so that people have the skills to deliver services,” he said.
Institutional capacity and reform values
Gatkuoth said his ministry will focus on building institutional capacity so civil servants can deliver quality services to the public. He also highlighted professionalism, accountability and continuous learning as key drivers for reform and modernising public institutions.
Appointments alongside other officials
Gatkuoth was sworn in alongside other newly appointed officials, who were appointed on Monday. The ceremony provided a public platform for the minister to outline his priorities and signal continuity in administrative improvement efforts.