Parliamentary officials’ training builds capacity for CPA engagement in Africa Region

A group of CPA Branch Desk officers, parliamentary staff and Regional Secretariat team members attended the CPA Africa Region Capacity Building Workshop in Tanzania from 14 to 15 November 2023. Representatives from 10 CPA Branches in the CPA Africa Region attended the event at the East African Legislative Assembly in Arusha, which provided guidance on supporting Parliamentarians and parliamentary staff both at a regional and international level.

Above: Delegates at the CPA Africa Region Capacity Building Workshop in Arusha, Tanzania from 14 to 15 November 2023. Images: Parliament of Tanzania. Click here for more images.

Delegates were welcomed by the CPA Africa Regional Secretary, Ms Nenelwa Joyce Mwihambi, who is also the Clerk of the National Assembly of Tanzania and said:

“I welcome all participants to this important and historic capacity development workshop for Secretariat staff and schedule officers of the CPA Africa Region. One of the objectives of the CPA Africa Region is to promote transparency and accountability in the operation of the Region’s organs and bodies in all member countries.

To realise this objective requires concerted efforts of each and everyone in the Region: Members of Parliament, the Regional Secretariat, Schedule officers and other stakeholders. The skills and knowledge gained from this workshop will enable staff to serve the needs of our member Parliaments better and strengthen parliamentary democracy within the Commonwealth. Together, let us strive towards building stronger and more effective Parliaments that can truly represent the aspirations of our people.”

The CPA Africa Regional Secretary also thanked the CPA Secretary-General, Stephen Twigg for the importance given to the regional workshop.

The CPA Deputy Secretary-General, Jarvis Matiya facilitated discussions at the workshop and said:

“I am grateful to the CPA Africa Region for this capacity building workshop where I was able to provide information to CPA Desk Officers on their role in supporting the CPA, both at the regional and international level, and how they can help to coordinate and promote greater awareness of the CPA. The CPA appreciates the work of all CPA Desk Officers in supporting and coordinating the CPA’s activities and I was also able to update staff on the latest CPA events and developments on CPA Status.”

Sessions held at the regional workshop included:

• an overview of the role and functions of CPA Scheduled Staff/Desk Officers.
• team building and effective work coordination in the context of CPA.
• effective report writing and research skills.
• effective professional development and programme coordination.

Earlier in the week, the CPA Deputy Secretary-General Jarvis Matiya met with the Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Dr Tulia Ackson to discuss activities in the CPA Africa Region. The Speaker was recently elected as the new President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Above: The CPA Secretary-General, Jarvis Matiya meets with the the Speaker of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Dr Tulia Ackson and with the Clerk of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Ms Nenelwa Joyce Mwihambi. Images: Parliament of Tanzania. Click here for more images.

The CPA Deputy Secretary-General also met with the Clerk of the National Assembly of Tanzania, Ms Nenelwa Joyce Mwihambi, to discuss the CPA’s activities in the CPA Africa Region. The meeting was also attended by the Director of Communications and International Relations Office, Daniel Eliufoo, who is the Assistant CPA Africa Regional Secretary.

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The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association connects, develops, promotes and supports Parliamentarians and their staff to identify benchmarks of good governance and the implementation of the enduring values of the Commonwealth. The CPA is an international community of around 180 Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures working together to deepen the Commonwealth’s commitment to the highest standards of democratic governance.

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