Bouy Bags World Bank’s Outstanding Public Service Award

Bouy Bags World Bank’s Outstanding Public Service Award

The Gambia’s longstanding Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Basic and Secondary Education has bagged a prestigious award for his outstanding public service from the world’s leading financial institution.

World Bank on Friday April 4, presented the 2012 Jit Gill Memorial Award to Mr Baboucarr Bouy at a ceremony,  marking World Bank’s Public Service Day at its headquarters.

“MrBouy’s efforts to improve the quality of education in The Gambia are the perfect examples of good governance and public sector reform at work,” said OtavianoCanuto, World Bank Vice President for Poverty Reduction and Economic Management (PREM).

He said Bouy’s leadership, commitment and integrity are essential to furthering development and poverty reduction in The Gambia.

The World Bank established the memorial award for Outstanding Public Service in 2004, following the death of the Bank staff Jit Gill, a dedicated leader in public sector governance and integrity.

“I accept this award with great humility,” Bouy said in his acceptance speech.

“As the first Gambian recipient, I want to encourage all my countrymen in the public service because it is not beyond their reach to have a second, third or even fourth Gambian winner. What it really takes is hard work, ingenuity, dedication and commitment to one’s duties.”

Baboucarr Bouy started working in the education sector in the 80s when he began as an unqualified teacher, having finalised his studies and climb up the ladder since then.

World Bank says the recipients of the award are selected for having a sustained track record of public service, proven leadership and innovation that has enhanced public service effectiveness, demonstrated high standards of professional ethics, dedication and client orientation, and for having inspired and influenced public servants in promoting honesty, integrity and accountability in public service.

Bouy’s achievements include finding solutions as a result of  analysis and evidence-based research; the introduction of a performance management system with standards for staff; conditional cash transfers to teachers of religious schools to allow their pupils benefit from numeracy and literacy courses; strong emphasis on measuring learning with a focused attention on reading fluency; and creating a fund with his own savings together with his colleagues to assist poor families in need to send their children to school.

“Ultimately it is institutions and policies that determine a country’s future, but also the personal dedication of the leaders, and Mr. Bouy exemplifies that,” said Colin Bruce, Director of Strategy and Operations for the Africa Region of the World Bank.