ACC TO WORK WITH CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROMOTE ETHICS IN CIVIL SERVICE

ACC TO WORK WITH CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TO PROMOTE ETHICS IN CIVIL SERVICE

Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) Acting Director General, Monica Mwansa, says her organisation is committed to working with the Civil Service Commission to promote ethics and integrity within the civil service.

Mrs Mwansa says corruption within the civil service undermines the functions of the Civil Service Commission and therefore, must be dealt with at all costs because of its detrimental effects that result in poor service delivery and loss of public confidence in the institution.

ZANIS reports that Mrs Mwansa said this in Lusaka, in a speech read on her behalf by ACC Director for Corruption Prevention, Glenda Mungalaba during the official opening of a training programme for the Civil Service Commission Integrity Committee.

“Let me also take this opportunity to reassure you that the Anti-Corruption Commission is committed to working with your Commission to promote ethics and integrity in your Commission and the Civil Service at large,” she said.

Mrs Mwansa has urged the Civil Service Commission to promote the Code of Ethics and to lead by example to help reduce cases of corruption and abuse of office by some public service workers.

“If we all stick to the Code of Ethics, even cases of corruption and abuse of office would reduce in the Civil Service. I take this opportunity to request the Civil Service Commission to lead by example and ensure that the promotion of the Code of Ethics cascades throughout the Civil Service,” Mrs Mwansa said.

Mrs Mwansa urged Civil Service Commission Integrity Committee members to fully utilize the resources available at the workshop to garner knowledge and help effect change.

“We desire a people who are zero-tolerance to corruption,” she said.

Meanwhile, ACC Director for Corruption Prevention, Glenda Mungalaba disclosed that ACC has seen an increase in the number of institutions requesting for training of their staff in integrity and ethical issues in the recent past.

“And I must also mention that, we are currently very busy because a lot of institutions have come to realize the importance of integrity committees,” said Mrs Mungalaba.

Speaking earlier, Civil Service Commission Secretary, Derrick Wina, stressed the importance of integrity in the civil service.

“This committee is a crucial step towards transparency and accountability,” Mr Wina said.

He emphasized the committee’s role in identifying areas for improvement and ensuring civil servants maintain high integrity standards.

Mr Wina acknowledged the ongoing journey towards integrity, saying, “This process makes us aware of things we need to look out for.”

In the presence of Members of the Civil Service Commission, Mr Wina encouraged the Integrity Committee to raise awareness and understanding among civil servants, adding that the Integrity Committee training workshop marks a significant milestone in promoting integrity and transparency within the civil service.