Core Instruments

Concerning the second question, it is necessary to also understand ethical govern-ance through instruments by which corruption and unethical practices can be tamed in the public service. This is because the public service is the life wire of the government or the institutional machinery of the state; and above all, it is the citizens or individuals in a society that make up the personnel in the public ser-vice. To answer the question, table 12 is presented below:

Table 12. The Core Instruments for Taming Corruption and Unethical Prac-tices in the Public Services: The Views of Respondents (N=27)

Main Instruments Country(ies) in Preference

• Good governance

• Good Leadership and Leadership by example

• Use of guidelines, Ethical codes, and sanctions

• Anti-corruption laws, empowering anti-corruption agen-cies, and bills (freedom of information, whistle-blower, witness protection, and removal of immunity clause)

• Reward system and increase of salaries for workers

• Education/enlightenment

Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon Ghana and Cameroon

Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon

Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon

The respondents in three countries have stated their preferences for different in-struments as a means of taming corruption in the public services. Some respond-ents in three countries stated good governance as their preferred instrument for taming corruption and unethical practices in the public service. Some respondents also in three countries stated that good leadership and leadership by example are some instruments for taming corruption and unethical practices in the public ser-vice. For the use of guidelines, codes, and sanctions, only respondents in Ghana and Cameroon stated as instruments for taming corruption and unethical practices in the public service.

In addition, some other respondents in three countries stated that anti-corruption laws, empowering anti-corruption agencies and the adoption of freedom of infor-mation, whistleblower, witness protection, and removal of immunity clause bills are necessary instruments for taming corruption and unethical practices in the public service. Reward system and increase of salaries for workers are the instru-ments some other respondents in three countries stated that can tame corruption and unethical practices in the public service. And for education or enlightenment, some respondents in three countries stated as the instrument for taming corruption and unethical practices in the public service. According to some selected respond-ents in each country:

“Reorientation of Nigerians and institutionalising anti-corruption agencies are ways cor-ruption and other unethical practices in the Nigerian Public service can be tamed.” (Nige-ria)

“Strengthening the legal regime (strict implementation of laws and vibrant sanction for of-fenders), moral crusade, and advocacy are ways to tame corruption and other unethical practices in the Ghanaian public service.” (Ghana)

“Taming corruption and other unethical practices in the Cameroonian public service is a daunting task, but can be attained if there is a strong political will, institutional independ-ence, and citizen’s education.” (Cameroon)

Good governance involves the adoption of good management and natural princi-ples like transparency, accountability, participation and collaboration, and inde-pendence. In most developing countries, these principles are always lacking; be-cause of the presence of autocratic rule and dictatorship of all kinds. The value for human life is also most times regardless, because of insensitivity of various di-mensions. Good governance is tied to ethical governance and it is one way of re-ducing corruption in a particular entity and increasing productivity or perfor-mance in the public service.

Good leadership and leadership by example represent practicing what one preach-es or showing a lead way to the accomplishment of something. A good leader must be able to show good example to its followers or subordinates in any

organi-zation or in the act of governance. If there is a task to be accomplished, a good leader must first show every sense of commitment, towards the accomplishment of that task or responsibility; either through behaviour or action. It is another way of reducing corruption in a particular entity and increasing productivity or per-formance in the public service. Good leadership is also part of ethical governance.

The task of ethical leadership has become a great issue for all stakeholders in our present world; ethics, values, leadership, and trust are timely issues of immense importance to recover from a substantial downturn in the national and global poli-cies (Fulmer 2004: 307). Leadership is based on the doctrine of reciprocity, be-cause there must be followers for there to be a leader; (Livi, Kenny, Albright, &

Pierror 2008: 235). Leadership goes with spearheading or managing a task along with other interests in order to achieve a purpose. Different qualities are tied to leadership and they help in creating a multiple view about leadership (Scandura &

Dorfman 2004: 282).

The use of guidelines, ethical codes and the adoption of sanctions can bring sanity or order to any organization. Ethical guidelines and codes are regulatory and compliance framework in any organization or governance process; they show would be line of actions and responsibilities. Codes of ethics help in maintaining public trust in professionals that public affairs is being conducted in accordance with high ethical standards, because they help in preventing unethical behaviour.

They also serve as guidance to organizational decision-making. Ethical training on the other hand, helps employees to become aware of these codes and how they work. (Lähdesmaki & Salminen 2009: 53 57.) They are put in place mostly to serve as secondary or complementing instruments to human or managerial efforts;

and are also special ways of reducing corruption and unethical practices in the public service. The use of guidelines, ethical codes and the adoption of sanctions are also part of ethical governance.

Anti-corruption laws, anti-corruption agencies, bills (freedom of information, whistleblower, witness protection, and removal of immunity clause) are necessary instruments for reducing corruption and unethical practices in the public services of developing countries like Nigeria, Ghana, and Cameroon. Corruption and un-ethical practices are strongly rooted in these countries no doubt; therefore, viable anti-corruption laws must be put in place along with given anti-corruption agen-cies all the necessary power to carry out their task.

In addition, freedom of information bill must be put in place by government, so that people can be willing and not restricted to speak out. Also necessary, is the whistleblower bill and witness protection bill; those that bring forth information or report corrupt and unethical practices, must be given the right protection

against any form of victimization or threat. This same protection must be extend-ed to those that stand to testify against corrupt and unethical individuals during prosecution. The removal of immunity was highly stressed by respondents, be-cause most of the top public officials that engage in corrupt and unethical acts are protected from prosecutions like the President, Vice President, Parliamentary Heads, State Governors, etc. The removal of immunity clause would then help in the interrogation and prosecution of these top public personnel even while in of-fice. Legal instruments are also part of ethical governance.

Reward system and increase of salaries for workers are motivational attachments in any establishment or the governance process. When workers receive good re-ward and salaries for work done, there is a big sense of fulfilment or accomplish-ment; reward can come in any form, like promotion and bonuses of different kinds. A good pay is a source of happiness for any employee, because he or she can afford the basic needs, thereby not indulging in corner cutting. Workers in most developing counties are less motivated compare to their counterparts in de-veloped countries. The salaries they receive in most instances cannot take them home, making them to rely on bribes for survival. A good salary and reward sys-tem can therefore, help in curbing corruption and reducing other unethical prac-tices in the public service from one side and increasing public trust on the order.

Motivational dynamics are strong parts of ethical governance.

Public education or enlightenment is an avenue of creating open awareness about evils and benefits of a phenomenon. In here, people are thought every rudiment about a particular thing. Corruption and unethical practices can be curbed through adequate sensitization networks, mechanisms, and values; through these avenues public servants who are also individuals can learn more about the negativities of indulging in corrupt and unethical acts. All the points given above including edu-cation or enlightenment are collectively, useful for curbing corruption and unethi-cal practices, and increasing public trust, because they are useful and comprehen-sive parts of ethical governance.

5.2 Public Trust

Public trust is a broad concept that can be investigated from different perspec-tives, but it is investigated here from an anti-corruption crusade perspective. Anti-corruption activities and organizations go together, because they concern the eradication or reduction of corruption and unethical practices in the society. The citizens on the other hand judge if anti-corruption activities and organizations have been geared towards the eradication and elimination of corruption and

un-ethical activities in the society. Five (5) specific questions were used in relation to the issue of investigating public trust. In the questionnaire form (See Appendix 1), they are:

1. What is your disposition towards the setting up of anti-corruption agen-cies and do you think it is the best way to tame corruption and unethical practices in this country?

2. How would you rate anti-corruption crusade in this country?

3. What is your view that anti-corruption agencies in this country have boosted your country’s image among international communities?

4. How would you rate this specific anti-corruption agency (ICPC/

CHRAJ/NACC) effect on public trust or citizens in this country?

5. How willing are people to report corrupt and other unethical related is-sues to this specific anti-corruption agency (ICPC/CHRAJ/NACC) in this country?