Opinion

Letter to the President and the Prime Minister : Cabinet to adopt Ministerial Code: A demostration o

31 Aug 2015 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

In line with the publicly-declared commitments to the principles and practices of Good Governance, the new coalition Government due to meet for the first time next week under your leadership directions and the stewardship of the newly-elected Prime Minister, it is suggested that at the said first meeting of the Cabinet, it resolved to adopt and have in place within one month, a new Ministerial Code of Conduct, supported by due commitments to accepted Principles of Public Life and relevant declarations of interests and applicable to related party declarations made by all members of the new cabinet of ministers.
This new Ministerial Code of Conduct could be developed by a subcommittee of the Cabinet, possibly benchmarked to the Ministerial Code of the United Kingdom Cabinet, a copy of which is attached. https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment data/file/61402/ministerial-code-may-2010.pdf

You would no doubt agree that the adoption of this suggestion by the Cabinet at its first meeting could signal the serious commitment of the new government to uphold the principles and practices of good governance. This first step could thereafter be extended to cover elected representatives and persons in public life to newly developed codes of conduct and ethics, which too would be in line with the pledges made before the Presidential and Parliamentary elections.

The Seven Principles of Public Life

Selflessness
Holders of public office should take decisions solely in terms of the public interest. They should not do so in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their family, or friends.

Integrity
Holders of public office should not place themselves under any financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations that might influence them in the discharge of their official duties.

Objectivity
In carrying out public business, including making public appointments, awarding contracts, or recommending
individuals for rewards and benefits, holders of public office should make choices
on merit.

Accountability
Holders of public office are accountable for their decisions and actions to the public and must submit themselves to
whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office.

Openness
Holders of public office should be as open as possible about all the decisions and actions that they take. They should give reasons for their decisions and restrict information only when the wider public interest clearly demands.

Honesty
Holders of public office have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their public duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects the public interest.

Leadership
Holders of public office should promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

Opinion

Letter to the President and the Prime Minister : Cabinet to adopt Ministerial Code: A demostration o

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