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Ombudsman Malera during a webinar organised by Unima
Ombudsman Grace Tikambenji Malera has challenged Public Officers in the country to exercise their duties and functions in proper, fair, just, reasonable and lawful manner; further to accounting for their decisions or actions.
Malera made the call in a presentation she made during a webinar organized by the University of Malawi (Unima).
In the thought provoking presentation which was titled ‘Institutionalization of Ethics for enhanced transparency in the Public Sector’ the honorable Ombudsman called on duty bearers to always account for their actions.
In her discussion Malera lamented that unethical practices are on the rise in Malawi including bribery, corruption, theft, maladministration.
She said Malawi’s social problems are products of unethical conduct thus making institutionalization of ethics critical for good governance and attainment of sustainable development.
“Ethical conduct is important in the public sector to promote rule of law by making sure that officers perform or make decisions that are lawful, reasonable and procedural,” Malera said.
Ethical Conduct she said is the Bedrock of all the ethos, values and the character of the Public Service.
Non-adherence to Ethics breeds a culture of no respect for the rule of law, lack of accountability and transparency and in the long term, Impunity, as such Malera reiterated the need to Institutionalize ethics.
The Ombudsman then highlighted that the Malawi Constitution clearly defines the people’s expectations from state organs. And thus challenged them to stick to ethical standards.
“The safeguards for these expectations and holding public institutions/official accountable include periodic elections for political positions such as President and Members of Parliament and designated oversight entities,” honorable Malera said.
She thus called on Civil Society Organizations, the media and the citizens to play their role in ensuring accountability and transparency and responsiveness of the public sector.
Malera said the Office of the Ombudsman is committed to entrenching values and ethics in the younger generation through the curriculum development for primary and secondary schools which her office is doing in conjunction with the Malawi Institute of Education.
Dr. Grace Tomoka Bakuwa of Unima also hinted on prospective collaboration with the Office of the Ombudsman on the matter.
Source: Ombudsman of the Republic of Malawi
