MILLENNIUM ACTION PROGRAMME
Read the Preamble of the Millennium Action Programme
The process of using time-bound targets for Government Ministries proved effective by increasing awareness of the priorities and providing a management tool which introduced the discipline of working to deadlines and being accountable for shortfalls.
In order to accelerate the implementation of public sector reform initiatives and other programmes, Government has, over the past five years, employed the process of target setting for Ministries.
This process was captured in a programme called the Economic and Social Reform Agenda (ESRA) which was conducted in two phases, ending in December 2001. The final report on ESRA II has recently been published.
ESRA, as a discipline, required Ministries to agree to a series of time-bound priority action targets. Ministries reported progress on a monthly basis through standardised submissions to the Public Policy Coordination Unit (PPCU) in the Office of the Prime Minister. Following the PPCU's review of progress, reports were issued every three or six months and subsequently published.
The Millennium Action Programme (MAP) continues the ESRA process but with a number of significant changes.
The programme is shorter and more concise, with fewer targets. In common with ESRA, however, MAP selects targets that put into effect the principal objectives of the National Development Strategy (NDS). These include, among others, poverty alleviation, and an emphasis on rural development, employment creation, HIV/AIDS, efficiency and cost-effectiveness in the public service, and improved conditions for essential services. MAP is to be revised annually.
Each Ministry again submits a monthly progress report in a standardised format. Cabinet will review all submissions on a monthly basis and a public report will be issued twice during the12 months period. A final report is to be issued by 15 January following the year end.
The composition of MAP involved a collaboration between the respective Ministry and the PPCU, followed by a series of workshops in which the drafts were discussed and finalised.
Following finalisation of the drafts, monthly progress reports are now being received at the PPCU by the ninth day of each month and subsequently discussed in Cabinet.
