IMPORTANCE OF ETHICS IN PUBLIC SERVICE
“Ethics are as important for the public servant as blood for the body”
(Unknown, in Raga and Taylor, n.d.)
Ethics, the rules and standards of right conduct required in the performance of public service is the rubric of a government. The public sector demands a high level of ethical performance from public service employees because they are the stewards of public resources. The public resources are the savings and revenues collected from tax and other regulatory bodies, infrastructure such as public airports, buildings and highways and equipment. The public resources relegated by the public to the public service employees and officials are huge and the task of protecting and managing these resources is monumental. To perform such gargantuan task and responsibility, the public demands the highest ethical standards from public service employees and officials.
In addition, the global diffusion of ideas and information brought about by the advancement of information communication technology requires an even higher standard of ethics, transparency and accountability. (UNPAD, n.d.) Ethics, transparency and accountability are indicators of a country’s stability and which will have a long-term and profound impact on the financial and economic development of the country concerned. Countries with a stable government attract foreign investors which is one of the sources of funds to stimulate economic activity in the country.
A high level of public sector performance is demanded especially from developing countries because of endemic corruption. Corruption in the government means that there is poor administration and management of public resources which are indicators of loose ethics, lack of transparency and lack of accountability. There is now a growing international recognition that corruption is an obstacle to economic development by undermining stability and eroding trust in public institutions. Rampant and systemic corruption impedes development because of the poor quality or lack of essential infrastructure and services, the effects of which is borne by the poorest of the poor. (UNPAD, n.d.)
High Standard of Ethics: A Global Concern
A high standard of ethics from public service is a global concern. The United Nations, Division for Public Administration and Development Management (DPADM) sets international standards for safeguarding and maintaining public sector ethics, transparency and accountability by putting up an “ethics infrastructure”. The “ethics infrastructure” promotes transparency and accountability by creating an oversight composed of the greater public and independent bodies, to preserve integrity in public service. The “ethics infrastructure” fosters international dialogue and “exchange of experiences” by its members from all over the world. (UNPAD, n.d.)
Stewardship
Employees and elected officials in the public service are the stewards of public resources. As stewards they are entrusted with the utmost responsibility to utilize and manage public resources, financial resources, infrastructure, equipment, documents and others in the best interest of the people. They are also relegated the critical task of protecting public resources from misuse and abuse. Public service demands from the person a high ethical standard, restraint and control so that he will not use his position in power to secure for himself unwarranted privileges and benefits from the use of public resources. Public service also demands its officials and employees to restrain from accepting gifts and bribery. They are also entrusted public trust and confidence of ensuring that the critical information and public resources are protected for public interests.
Good Governance
Governance is defined by the United Nations as a “process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented)” Although good governance cuts across the private and public sector, the government is one of the main implementers of good governance. There are eight requirements of good governance: accountability, consensus, effectivity and efficiency, equity and inclusiveness, participation, responsiveness, transparency, and adherence to the rule of law. With good governance, respect for human rights is assured and the views and rights of the minorities and the most vulnerable in society are respected and taken into account, sustainability is ensured by attending to the present needs and ensuring for the future needs of society and finally, good governance assures the local and global public that corruption is minimized. (Metagora, n.d.)
REFERENCES
Anonymous, 2005. Ethics in Public Service. Ppt presentation. Available at:< http://www web.ewu.edu/groups/internalaudit/Ethics-in-Public-Service-2005.ppt> [Accessed 26 May 2011].
Fogle, K., 2010. OPM Code of Ethics. [online] Available at:< http://www.ehow.com/facts_7419754_opm-code-ethics.html> [Accessed 26 May 2011].
Metagora, n.d. Governance/Good Governance. [online] Available at:< http://www.metagora.org/training/encyclopedia/governance.html> [Accessed 26 May 2011].
Raga K., and Taylor, D., n.d. Impact of Accountability and Ethics on Public Service Delivery : A South African Perspective. [online] Available at:< http://www.thepublicmanager.org/articles/docs/kishore.pdf> [Accessed 26 May 2011].
United Nations Public Administration Program, n.d. Ethics, Transparency and Accountability.[online] Available at:< http://www.unpan.org/DPADM/ProductsServices/AdvisoryServices/EthicsTransparencyandAccountability/tabid/675/language/en-US/Default.aspx> [Accessed 26 May 2011].
Credit:ivythesis.typepad.com
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