Jonglei State Minister for Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism, Atong Kuol Manyang, has been awarded the best performing 2023 state minister by a local organization.

On Thursday, Intrepid South Sudan (ISS), a national civil society organization based Jonglei State announced the award at a ceremony held in Bor, the state capital.

The organization focuses on human rights, rule of law, good governance and peacebuilding,

Bol Deng Bol, the Executive Director of ISS, said Atong Kuol Manyang was selected for the award based on her “outstanding performance, dedication and innovation in her ministry.”

"We gave an award to the best serving minister for the year 2023 and this is an advocacy program that inspires and instills commitment and hard work in the public service. The minister that took the award was the minister for Animal Resources, Fisheries and Tourism; that is Honorable Atong Kuol Manyang who was then first the minister for health,” Bol said.

Bol also praised Atong Kuol Manyang for her previous role the Health Ministry, where she initiated the fence construction for Bor State Hospital and the circumcision campaign to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS.

Bol Deng urged other ministers and officials to emulate Atong Kuol by serving the people with integrity and professionalism.

The award was presented to Atong Kuol by the Jonglei State Governor, Denay Jock Chagor, who congratulated her for her outstanding work.

Present at the event was Canadian Ambassador to South Sudan, Aly-Khan Rajani and head of UNMISS Field Office in Bor, Geetha Pious.

Meanwhile Jonglei State Governor Denay Jock Chagor said Atong Kuol has been a valuable member of his cabinet and a role model for other women in politics.

" This is a wonderful dialogue where we all come together and talk to ourselves, discuss with ourselves and challenge ourselves. It’ through this – coming together that is where we can solve lot of problems.” Chagor said.

Governor Denay thanked ISS for recognizing and honoring Atong Kuol and encouraged the organization to continue its work in promoting good governance and human rights in South Sudan.

Atong Kuol, who is the daughter of Gen. Kuol Manyang Juuk, a veteran politician and former minister of defense, expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the award.

She said the award was a motivation and a challenge for her to do more for the people of Jonglei and South Sudan.

"With this award, there is a lot pressure on me to even do more and better. I know I am not the only person who is working very hard, there are also my colleagues’ ministers, and people in various occupation. But the ward is only one and today I had the opportunity to be the one having it.” She said.

Atong pledged to continue her efforts in improving the animal resources, fisheries and tourism sectors in the state and to work for peace and development in the country.

 “When I look at this award, to me it symbolizes the fact that hard work, dedication, being passionate about your work, perseverance as well as team work can bring you to this point.” She added.

Atong Kuol’s political career started in 2018 when she was appointed by the former governor of defunct Jonglei state Philip Aguer Panyang as the state minister of information and communication. She became the state minister of health in 2021 and then state minister of animal resources, fisheries and tourism in 2023.