The dawn of codes of ethics

In simple terms, a code of ethics is a body of rules and regulations that govern the membership of professional bodies, social clubs, voluntary organisations, official and semi-official institutions.

The understanding is that every institution that wants to win the respect of the general public must first instill a certain amount of discipline and acceptable standards among its members.  The code becomes an instrument that succinctly outlines what the institution stands for and prescribes what it takes to be a member of good standing.

The breach of the codes may not necessarily constitute a violation of the law but it could attract prescribed sanctions, including, in the extreme, expulsion.

Quite recently, the National House of Chiefs launched a code of ethics for chiefs in the country.  All the dos and don'ts in the code already exist, albeit in unwritten form, in our chieftaincy system.

If for nothing at all the code is to re-emphasise some of these things, make them public and to put them in written documentary form, possibly for reference and use as evidence when the need arises.

Chiefs, as custodians of traditional authority, have always been governed by a set of unwritten laws or taboos, the breach of which could result in sanctions, including the severest, which is destoolment.

Chiefs, for instance, among others, are not to be seen in public engaging in a hostile or provocative act such as quarrelling.   They are not to engage in indiscriminate sexual escapades, especially with under aged girls and married women.

These restrictions are necessary to maintain the sanctity and dignity of the stool or skin as the case may be, and to accord chiefs all the honour they deserve as role models and the first citizens of their communities.

Codes of ethics have become popular subjects in the country in recent times. The reasons are quite obvious.  Our country is being consumed by indiscipline and corruption and our public office holders are losing focus at best, and in many cases, they have become not just a drain but a burden on the shoulders of the poor people of this country.

The other time, Prof. Jane Naana Opoku Agyeman, the Minister of Education, told Parliament that the ministry would collaborate with the Ghana Education Service to enforce the code of conduct for teachers.

This was her response to concerns about the conduct of teachers and how it has impacted negatively on discipline and standard of education in the country.

About a week ago, the presidency also released a code of conduct for government appointees, especially ministers, deputy ministers and chief executives of the various assemblies.

Again the explanation was to ensure compliance by state functionaries with the rules and regulations associated with their office and to marshall their energies towards the achievement of the vision of the President.

On the surface, one would be tempted to describe these developments as laudable if only we are on the path to injecting discipline into our national culture and mending our old ways to serve the national interest.

The question is until these codes of ethic and conduct became fresh subjects, are we, as a nation, saying there were no remedies for the negative things we are trying to fight today?

Are we to believe that until a code of conduct for teachers was invoked as promised by the Minister of Education, the state was powerless to deal with teachers who are habitual drunkards, who most of the times were not in the classroom and who found other things to do with our children instead of teaching them?

What about our state officials?  Are we now awakening to the truth that ministers and other state functionaries are supposed to be in the service of the people and not to exploit them or lord it over them?

Are we not aware that quite a good number of our state officials spend a greater part of their time not thinking of how to improve the living conditions of the people but to take the little that they have from them?

We must admit that this country seems to be making slow progress, if any, because we have been starved of dedicated and visionary leadership.  We lack the selfless men and women imbibed with commitment and dedication who are determined to push forward the national agenda of development and progress.

There is a new beginning for everything so we just have to hope that the current set of ministers will be more focused and distance themselves from the negative things of the past so that this country can move forward.

By the way, since when have transfers become the best form of punishment for corrupt officials?  If a police officer is cited for corrupt practices in Sunyani, for instances, the form of punishment is to transfer him/her to another station, to go and expand his corrupt practices.

How do we address the problem of an officer who refuses a transfer because people may think he is corrupt?  This is how we have been running away from our responsibilities to the detriment of this country.

If an officer is proven to be corrupt or ineffective or inefficient, the  best remedy is for that person to exit  so that this country makes the full use of its honest and dedicated citizens.  This is why some of us are skeptical of this code of conduct business.

By Kofi Akordor/Ghana
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kofiakordor.blogspot.com