Ethics and accountability in African public services

Abstract

The decision to organize this seminar stemmed from the overall concern over the increasing trend in ethical violations in general and the manifestation of corrupt behaviour in many African public services in particular. The weakening of accountability has aggravated the violation of ethical behaviour Africa's attempt to overcome the current economic crisis gripping it is being hampered by an "ethical atmosphere" totally unconducive to such recovery efforts .The lack of accountability and the existence of unethical behaviour and corrupt practices have become so entrenched and even institutionalized in spite of repeated calls for maintaining high standards of ethical behaviour in the public service and a myriad of rules and regulations enacted to enforce It, in practice it Is more honoured in its breach than observance. As a result public demand and pressure for strict accountability and more acceptable ethical behaviour is Increasing. These developments have made it necessary to urgently address the theme of accountability and ethics in African public services and search for ways of effectively dealing with the problems of violation of ethical values. It is the recognition of the seriousness and urgency of the problem that prompted ECA/SAPAM and AAPAM to organize this senior policy seminar.