A three-day senior leadership and management training programme for senior executive officers in the public service was officially opened at Olympic House, bringing together Principal Secretaries, Chief Executive Officers, Director Generals and other senior officials occupying key positions within government.

The programme is funded by the Commonwealth and is designed to strengthen leadership and management capacity within the public service, with a particular focus on effective decision-making, good governance, ethics and integrity, strategic leadership and organisational performance.

The opening ceremony was attended by Vice President Mr Sebastien Pillay, members of the Cabinet of Ministers, and Head of Public Sector Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat, United Kingdom, Dr Roger Koranteng.

Addressing participants, Secretary of State for Cabinet Affairs and Head of the Civil Service, Ms Margaret Moumou, emphasised that leadership extends far beyond occupying a position of authority.

“Leadership is not simply about occupying positions of authority. It is about setting direction, creating trust, empowering others, and making difficult decisions with courage and integrity,” she said.

Ms Moumou noted that effective leaders must remain focused on the public interest while navigating change and uncertainty. She also highlighted the support mechanisms established by the Department of Administration to assist senior public officers in meeting the demands of leadership.

“The Department of Administration has also created space for mentorship and coaching for all accounting officers. Please do make use of this facility to help you navigate the demands of leadership in this era of constant flux,” she said.

She explained that this mentorship and coaching programme provides a safe space for accounting officers to seek guidance and assistance, particularly when dealing with complex decisions and challenges affecting their respective institutions.

In his address, Dr Roger Koranteng, Head of Public Sector Governance at the Commonwealth Secretariat, said that public sector leaders are operating in an increasingly complex environment, where they must navigate multiple challenges, manage competing priorities and deliver results that improve the lives of citizens.

“In this rapidly changing public sector environment, leaders are required to navigate increasingly complex challenges, manage competing priorities, and deliver results that improve the lives of citizens,” Dr Koranteng said.

He stressed that strong leadership is also essential to creating positive organisational cultures and ensuring the continuity of institutions.

“Great leaders create positive organisational cultures. They inspire confidence and strengthen motivation, clarify priorities, and guide organisations towards improved performance and better outcomes. They also identify and nurture future leaders, ensuring sustainability and continuity within their institutions,” he said.

Officially opening the three-day training programme, the President Dr Patrick Herminie, highlighted that this initiative comes at a particularly meaningful moment for Seychelles as the country marks 50 years of independence.

“We must also prepare to rise to the fifty years ahead. That preparation begins in this room, with the people responsible for carrying our institutions forward,” the President said.

He highlighted the growing expectations of citizens for public services that are efficient, responsive, transparent and increasingly digital.

“Our institutions must be able to respond to changing circumstances, manage limited resources effectively, work across institutional boundaries and, above all, maintain the confidence and trust of the people we serve,” he said.

The President stressed that these topics are not merely academic subjects, but practical leadership issues that directly influence how public institutions operate and deliver services to citizens.

He also reiterated his message delivered at the Public Service Forum earlier this year: “Leadership develops leadership.”

“No institution builds strong leaders by chance. It builds them deliberately, through people who are willing to mentor, to set high standards, and to give others room to grow into responsibility,” he said.

He added that the deeper purpose of the programme is not only to strengthen participants as individual leaders, but also to build their capacity to develop the next generation of leaders who will eventually succeed them.

The programme includes sessions such as Picking the Leadership Style That Fits Best for Your Organisation and Ethics vs Integrity in Public Sector Organisations, alongside other practical sessions aimed at strengthening leadership capacity and supporting more effective and informed decision-making across the public service.

The training is ultimately intended to contribute to stronger institutions, better leadership continuity and a public service that is better equipped to meet the evolving needs and expectations of the people of Seychelles.