I have read with interest the article ?Code of Conduct for Public Officials out soon? in the Wednesday, 23 January 2008 issue of ghanaweb - thanks Deputy Commissioner, Mr Richard Quayson, the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice.
One would have thought that after 50 years of independence, Ghana would have had in place such a useful and effective Public Sector (PS) Management tool and that all that was required was to modify it as policies and programs within the sector changed/improved. No wonder we keep reciting ?zero tolerance for corruption? but fail to achieve any positive and tangible results in that area.
In the government?s attempt to solve the problem the Deputy Commissioner cites the Whistle blowers, Public Procurement, Financial Administration and the Internal Audit Acts. I personally believe that there must have been some information on Public Sector Values and Public Sector Code of Conduct during the colonial days and as a matter of fact post-colonial days. But as soon as the ?white man? left the ?black man? threw that invaluable information out of the window - ?now we can manage or mismanage our own affairs?.
The religious adherence to Public Sector Code of Conduct must emanate from ?self-governance?. By this I mean one needs to have such attributes like honesty, commitment, leadership etc. Without such positive characteristics one may find it extremely difficult to achieve any meaningful ?corporate governance? outcomes in connection with accountability and transparency.
The Code of Conduct, as some of us in the PS jurisdiction have learnt over the years, requires that all employees within the PS hierarchy (strategic, middle management and tactical) must behave honestly and with integrity in the course of PS employment; act with care and diligence; treat everyone with respect and courtesy and without harassment; comply with applicable laws; comply with any lawful and reasonable direction given by someone in the employees? Agency who has the authority to give that direction; maintain appropriate confidentiality about dealings that the employee has with any Minister or Minister?s member of staff; disclose, and take reasonable steps to avoid, any conflict of interest (real or apparent) in connection with PS employment; use government resources in a proper manner; not provide false or misleading information in response to a request for information that is made for official purposes; not make improper use of inside information, or the employee?s duties, status, power or authority in order to gain, or seek to gain, a benefit or advantage for the employee or for any other person; at all times behave in a way that upholds the PS Values and the integrity and good reputation of the PS; while on duty overseas, at all times behave in a way that upholds the good reputation of your country; and comply with any other conduct requirement that is prescribed by the regulations.
It is to be hoped that with ?self-governance? attributes as defined earlier on in the text, the PS Code of Conduct itemised above can be achieved to optimise the productivity and enhance the reputation of the Ghana Public Service and the country.
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