Code of Conduct for The Civil Service of The Gambia

OBJECTIVE

In general, it requires all civil servants to uphold and practice seven fundamental ethical values and standards.

CONTENT

The Specific Objectives are:

• To demonstrate loyalty to the Government of the day and to the country;
• To place the public interest before private interest and to ensure that private advantage does not conflict with public duty;
• To avoid the use of public position for personal advantage;
• To serve with efficiency and industry and to perform tasks honestly and conscientiously;
• To avoid bringing outside pressures or personal relationships in pursuit of personal claims;
• To refrain from accepting gifts, presents and other favours that will compromise one’s integrity and objectivity; and
• To avoid divulging confidential information available to one in the course of the execution of his/her official duties.

To facilitate the inculcation of the ethical values aspired, the following three strategies will be employed:

• The inclusion of a module on “Values and Ethics” in all the civil service training programmes offered by the Management Development Institute (MDI);
• The encouragement of healthy competition at both organizational and individual levels for acquisition of various awards, medals and certificates as acknowledgement and reward for dedication and achievements; and
• The imposition of firm and fair disciplinary measures to punish violation of the provisions of the code. The code of conduct provides a set of guidelines on specific areas of conduct, applicable to civil servants.

The code covers the following areas:

• Work ethics, conduct and values of highest possible standards of behaviour;
• Applicability of the Code of Conduct;
• Definition of Unethical Conduct/unquestionably immoral behaviour;
• General Principles of Conduct;
• Definition of Terms;
• Matters giving rise to disciplinary procedures being implemented; and
• Penalties for Violation of Ethical Code.