President Samia commits to improving personal secretaries’ welfare

ARUSHA: PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has pledged the government’s commitment to addressing challenges raised by the Tanzania Association of Personal Secretaries (TAPSEA) during the ongoing 12th Professional Conference in Arusha.

Speaking to members via phone, President Samia, represented at the event by Vice President Dr. Philip Mpango, emphasized the government’s commitment to addressing the cadre’s related challenges.

She called on members to continue working diligently, emphasizing that their contributions are vital to national economic growth, an effort she said would also lead to improved benefits and welfare for the cadre.

The five-day conference, which runs from May 12 to 17, has attracted nearly 5,000 participants from ministries, government institutions, private organizations, public corporations, civil society groups, and companies across the Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar.

While officially opening the conference, Vice President Mpango urged personal secretaries to adapt to rapid technological changes by continuously updating their skills and embracing innovation.

He emphasized that competence in ICT is increasingly essential for efficiency in their roles.

He called on employers across sectors to offer regular on-the-job and short-term training to help personal secretaries stay current with evolving office technologies, including the ethical and effective use of computers and software applications.

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Dr. Mpango also reminded TAPSEA members of their professional obligation to uphold confidentiality, integrity, and ethical conduct.

Speaking at the event, Minister of State in the President’s Office for Public Service Management and Good Governance, George Simbachawene, reaffirmed the government’s ongoing support to TAPSEA.

He pledged efforts to resolve policy and operational challenges affecting the cadre and to promote effective service delivery for national development.

In her address on behalf of TAPSEA members, association chairperson Ms. Zuhura Songambele appealed to the government to improve the availability of teaching tools at training institutions to ensure the continued production of high-quality public servants.

She also urged the government to ensure that employers fully implement public service directives, including the adoption of the cadre’s development framework.

She raised concerns over some employers’ reluctance to allow personal secretaries to attend professional meetings, calling for stronger enforcement of participation policies.