‘Mantšali Phakoana
The office of the Ombudsman, with financial support from the European Union (EU), is holding a five-day core staff workshop to enhance its effectiveness.
The training aims to impart the Ombudsman office’s investigation team with the necessary skills, techniques and best practices to deal with complaints from aggrieved Basotho.
Officially opening the workshop, EU consultant and team leader, Chimwemwe Mangeni said the training – which started on Monday and ends on Friday – would enhance the capacity of the Ombudsman and help boost their investigations.
He noted that the office will serve the nation better if it is resourced with qualified and experienced personnel.
In her remarks, the Ombudsman, Advocate Tlotliso Polaki noted that the training comes at an opportune moment for staff who need refresher courses and further training.
“The EU’s support involves assisting the institution in managing to increase its visibility by embarking on several outreach campaigns which are still continuing nationwide.
“I implore you staff, let us open our minds and hearts to new ideas as we come together this week to learn new investigation techniques and share knowledge,” Adv Polaki said.
On behalf of the minister of justice and law, the principal secretary in the ministry, Lira Ralebese, said the training provides investigators with new ideas and improve their innovative thinking on how to fulfil the Ombudsman’s mandate to improve services to Basotho.
In order to achieve this, Ralebese stressed, expertise and competency become critical components for thoroughly investigating complaints which form the basis for effectual determinations.
He indicated that it has been over 10 years since the office of the Ombudsman’s investigators received in-depth training to refresh their skills and keep them abreast of contemporary practices in the region and internationally. He attributed this to budget constraints.
“This is a very important workshop intended to equip you with essential skills to help execute your duty better.
“As you embark on this important training, I expect you all to give your best participation and commitment so that you will be competent in your work and make more a meaningful contribution to the work of the Ombudsman in strengthening governance and the observance of the rule of law.
“We acknowledge as the government of Lesotho that regular training and continuous development in public officers is critical but, due to financial challenges, this has not been possible to undertake,” Ralebese added.
