by Dr. Donald M. McCartney, D.M.
Permanent Secretaries are key to the proper functioning of Ministries in particular and the Public Service in general. By the very nature of the office they hold, they have much influence.
Permanent Secretaries by the very nature of their role and function must be aware of the efficient execution of Public Administration within the Public Service and the impact on internal and external stakeholders.
It follows then that Permanent Secretaries are responsible for the conduct and success of Public Administration in the Public Service.
It must be clearly understood that Public Administration, while its delivery and conduct is the responsibility of Permanent Secretaries, it is an instrument of the State.
As such, it is expected that Public Administration is implemented in accordance with the policy decisions that are made from the political and legislative process.
The success of a Minister (and by extension a Government and the State) is, to a large extent, dependent upon the ability and goodwill of Permanent Secretaries. It must be made patently clear that Permanent Secretaries have different personal or professional backgrounds from the Ministers who did not appoint them.
This is where the vitality and ability of Permanent Secretaries are tested and tried. Ministers who decide to ignore the advice of Permanent Secretaries stand the risk of making serious and egregious errors.
Permanent Secretaries are key links between the democratic process and the Public Service. Despite the fact that Permanent Secretaries are not supposed to be overt political creatures, among their administrative functions is the carriage of the political, economic, and social interest and functions of the State. This is so because it is from the State from which Permanent Secretaries derive their authority and power, and to which they are accountable.
It follows then, that as contradictory as it may appear, Permanent Secretaries are neither apolitical nor neutral to the ideological predisposition of the elected Ministers.
The interaction between the two, whether the Permanent Secretary likes it or not, is a political process. This is where the intellect, sophistication, and diplomatic skills of Permanent Secretaries come into play.
Indeed, Permanent Secretaries, as contemporary administrators must be understood that they must be complex and savvy team players and possess the ability to synthesize diverse contributions and viewpoints.
