On Friday, 24 November 2023, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Namibia, Rt. Hon. Saara Kuugongelwa-Amadhila, launched the revised version of the “Pocket Guide 2.0,Being a Public Servant in Namibia”, at Mercure Hotel, Windhoek.
The Prime Minister encouraged all public servants to make use of the book, given that it is in digital form and that it can be accessed through mobile cellphones. She further stressed that the ‘Being a public servant in Namibia pocket Guide 2.0’ is a part of innovation ecosystems to accelerate progress towards improved service delivery and it is also an initiative that responds to Namibia’s commitment to advancing digital transformation and enhancing access to government information. She therefore encouraged the nation to embrace digitalisation by moving away from manual documents to e-documents of which the aim is to make digitalisation a tool to achieve public service improvement and social justice, ensuring that no one is left behind.
On behalf of government, the Prime Minister commended the United Nations system in Namibia for their assistance in the realisation of this product.
The new upgraded version of the Pocket Guide is accessible online by clicking https://pocketguide.gov.na. However, PDF printable version is another available option and online downloadable platform was developed to be accessed through smartphones by scanning the QR Code.
By opening the e-Pocket Guide system, it enables users (public servants) to navigate through the key Public Service HR Policies, the structure and composition of the government, conditions of services, including benefits that are at their disposal. Through the Artificial Intelligence Chatbot or Pocketbot, one can chat, type comments and ask any question he/she may have, and can receive an answer instantly; and that is what makes the digitalisation of the pocket guide very unique.
The launch meeting was attended by the Secretary to the Cabinet, Executive Directors, Chief Regional Officers and Directors in Government Offices, Ministries and Agencies. Further, in attendance were the Chiefs of Human Resources, Learning and Development Officers, IT and Public Relations Officials who are tasked with the responsibility of mainstreaming the provision of the Pocket Guide going forward, as they are the key drivers, and will serve as agents of change in respective institutions.
It was urged that the IT Officials in conjunction with the Public Relations Officers shall be at the forefront of updating and keeping institutional Websites alive and contemporary, in line with the dynamic and changing nature of government services.