Following a May 20, 2008 Presidential decree increasing the number of government ministries from 22 to 36, Guinea’s new Prime Minister, Ahmed Tidiane Souare, turned to USAID to help coordinate better communication and cooperation within the expanded government.

The result was a two-day workshop in August 2008 implemented through USAID’s Faison Ensemble project that brought together the Prime Minister and 34 ministers to work on leadership skills, team building, communication, and management. To many observers, the extent of the government’s participation in the exercise was a strong indication of the confidence it places in USAID as a force for positive change.

The Prime Minister, who was originally scheduled to make only a brief morning appearance and deliver the opening address, remained at the workshop until after noon, a sign of his commitment to the workshop.

During the seminar, the ministers participated in small group exercises that explored effective team building methods, increasing organizational efficiency and communication strategies. The workshop also stressed the benefits of good governance and transparency in improving the government’s overall effectiveness.

“The ministers were enthusiastic and open to address a variety of sensitive issues with the Prime Minister,” said Mr. Jonathan Smith, the international consultant who facilitated the workshop.
He also indicated that the ministers expressed a willingness to adopt greater transparency within their respective ministries.

USAID now is poised to support the new government in undertaking deep reforms, including reform of public finance; reform of civil service; the establishment of a decentralized form of government; and the mobilization of an effective fight against corruption.