Public service ethics in Africa : emerging trends and their implications

Abstract

The early 1980s has inspired leaders from ail walks of life to search for solutions, among other things, through studies and reports on various critical issues of public management and administration. From time immemorial, the public service has been regarded as the custodian, trustee, co-ordinator, controller and pacesetter for the management of resources and national economic development in almost all African countries. Therefore, it should be obvious that the widespread concern for the moral integrity and professional rectitude of public servants has been engendered both by the deteriorating-social and economic conditions of the population and the legendary role of the public service as the pivot and the linchpin of the socio-economic advancement of African countries after independence from colonial rule.