FOR the first time in Guyana’s history, there is a written Code of Conduct to which public officials are obligated to conform. That code of conduct is enshrined in two documents: the administration’s ‘Ministerial Code of Service’, and ‘Ministerial Responsibility,’ respectively.

Those documents were conceived and placed into writing by President David Granger when he took office. The fact that the conduct of public officers is now part of the public record not only gives guidance to those officials, but allows citizens to measure the activities of officers against the clearly articulated standards and expectations of the President of the Cooperative Republic of Guyana.

The Ministerial Code of Service set out by the President mandates that “Ministers and Members of the National Assembly” conduct themselves in a prescribed manner in the discharge of their obligations to their constituents and the public at large.
The code states that, “Ministers are bound to this Code in all respects of their public life.”
The code states that, “Ministers have a duty to uphold the law, including the general law against discrimination, and to act, on all occasions, in accordance with the public trust placed in them.”

The code sets out in great detail the values to which ministers of government are expected to subscribe.
The code mandates accountability, dignity, diligence, duty, honour, integrity, loyalty, objectivity, responsibility, and transparency.
The code states, “Ministers’ conduct should be based on the public interest and they should avoid conflict between personal interest and the public interest.
“The acceptance by a Minister of a bribe to influence his or her conduct as a Minister, including any fee, compensation or reward in connection with the promotion of or opposition to, any Bill, Motion, or other matter submitted, or intended to be submitted to the National Assembly, or to any Committee of the Assembly is unlawful.”

The code states, too, “Ministers shall conduct themselves at all times in a manner which will tend to maintain and strengthen the public’s trust and confidence in the integrity of the government.
“They should never undertake any action which would bring the government, or its members, generally, into disrepute.”
The President of Guyana wrote that code, and he obviously expects all members of his administration to abide by its provisions and mandates.

His Excellency also wrote that, “Ministerial responsibility is central to the parliamentary system, because it ensures the accountability of the government to the legislature, and thus, ultimately, to the population.
“This principle is mainly based on a body of constitutional conventions, rather than on positive statutes.”
President Granger, by writing those words, indicated that he expects members of government to exercise good and moral judgment, whether or not such judgment is enshrined in law.

President Granger wrote, too, about the collective and individual responsibilities of officials. About the former, he wrote,
“…The government remains in office only so long as it retains the confidence of the parliament and all ministers stand or fall together with the government.”
Regarding individual responsibility, President Granger wrote, “Ministers are personally responsible to the parliament. This responsibility includes the minister’s own conduct, but it also extends to the agencies and departments under his or her purview.”

Guyana, obviously, is fortunate to have a Head of State who has clearly and publicly written openly of his high expectations of the persons who hold positions of leadership.
Of course, nobody is perfect; everyone makes mistakes occasionally. However, the President has articulated a vision of ideal behaviour for public officers, and that in itself is sufficient cause for praise, and perhaps, celebration.