VP Mohadi to tour M&E Week exhibitions

Source: VP Mohadi to tour M&E Week exhibitions | The Herald (Top Stories)

Nyore Madzianike and Remember Deketeke

VICE President Kembo Mohadi is today expected to tour exhibitions at the Office of the President and Cabinet (OPC) Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Week Programme underway in Harare.

He is expected to be accompanied by a high-level delegation that includes Chief Secretary to the President and Cabinet Dr Martin Rushwaya, Special Adviser to the President for Monitoring, Implementation of Government Programmes and Projects Dr Jorum Gumbo, United Nations officials and other stakeholders.

The week-long programme is running under the theme; “Strengthening, monitoring, evaluation and learning towards equitable development for a prosperous and empowered upper middle income society by 2030”.

Addressing stakeholders at a breakfast meeting yesterday, Dr Gumbo said the realisation of Vision 2030 fundamentally depended on effectively embedding Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning into the daily operations of Government.

He said these critical tools provided the Government with invaluable insights, which allowed it to measure progress, learn from past experiences, understand its current position and chart an effective course towards the desired developmental outcomes.

“I must also hasten to note that it is through this lens that we must view the implementation of NDS1 (National Development Strategy 1), which is now in its terminal phases and anchor the development of NDS 2, which will take us to the national Vision 2030,” he said.

Dr Gumbo said the use of monitoring and evaluation tools plays a critical role in tracking national programmes and projects.

“To strengthen this approach, Government established comprehensive M&E structures through the Public Service Commission, creating mechanisms for performance measurement and enhanced service delivery.

“These systems play a pivotal role in tracking the implementation of programmes across all ministries, departments and agencies.

“Furthermore, the strong emphasis on results-based management reflects Government’s commitment to not only improving service delivery, but fundamentally enhancing the quality of life for all Zimbabweans,” he said.

Dr Gumbo indicated that the event was designed to reinforce and integrate the monitoring, evaluation and learning into every stage of work from strategic planning to design and execution.

He said continued collaboration is vital in strengthening national evaluation systems and achieving goals outlined in NDS1 and 2 and the Sustainable Development Goals.

United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator to Zimbabwe Mr Edward Kallon commended Government for institutionalising monitoring, evaluation and learning across the public sector.

Mr Kallon said this demonstrates the Government’s commitment to evidence-based governance, transparency, and transformative development.

“I commend Zimbabwe for its active engagement in the Voluntary National Reviews (VNRs), and for embracing Voluntary Local Reviews (VLRs).

“These exercises allow Zimbabwe, including its local authorities, to reflect on SDG progress, share lessons, and strengthen service delivery by aligning policies with the needs of communities,” he said.

He said by integrating M&E into VNRs and VLRs, Zimbabwe will be mainstreaming accountability into national and local development processes, a move that the UN strongly applauds and supports.

Mr Kallon said achieving SDGs remains the best chance to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure dignity and justice for all.

“Against this global backdrop where progress on the SDGs is stalling, and many countries, including Zimbabwe, are facing rising inequalities, economic shocks, and climate vulnerabilities, the role of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning becomes even more urgent and indispensable.

“In the face of constrained resources and heightened demands, governments need to know with certainty and evidence what works, what does not, and where to take the correct course of action.

“Strong M&E systems enable countries to prioritise wisely, allocate efficiently, and deliver accountably.”

“Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning must continue to be embedded in our collective efforts to deliver equitable services, especially in the six key transitions that are critical to accelerating progress on the SDGs.

“These six transitions are integral components of the NDS-II priorities and include Food Systems; Energy Access and Affordability; Digital Connectivity; Education Transformation; Jobs and Social Protection; and Climate Change and Biodiversity Transition,” he said.

He said robust M&E systems, institutional capacity, and independent evaluations were a strategic investment in better policymaking, efficient service delivery and stronger public accountability.

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