Public Service Ethics & Values
The ethical framework governing every Gambian civil servant — the seven fundamental values, your obligations to the public (anti-discrimination, impartiality, accessibility), relationships among employees (cooperation, grievances, fairness), and what constitutes unethical conduct.
The Code of Conduct is the primary ethical instrument. Section 1 (Introduction) establishes seven fundamental values: loyalty to Government and country, placing public interest before private interest, avoiding use of position for personal advantage, serving with efficiency and honesty, avoiding outside pressures, refraining from compromising gifts, and protecting confidential information. The Code applies to all civil servants (Section 2). Section 3 defines unethical conduct: bribery, misappropriation, patronage, nepotism, conflict of interest, influence peddling, seeking personal benefits, granting favours to relatives, leaking confidential information, and unsanctioned political activity. Section 4.2 governs public relations — officers must serve impartially (4.2.1), be polite and accessible (4.2.2), consider public circumstances (4.2.3), and must not discriminate on grounds of race, gender, ethnic or social origin, colour, age, disability, religion, political views, conscience, belief, culture, or language (4.2.4). The public has a right of access to non-classified information (4.2.5). Section 4.3 governs employee relations — officers must cooperate (4.3.1), execute reasonable instructions unless unconstitutional (4.3.2), not favour relatives (4.3.3), use appropriate grievance channels (4.3.4), develop staff fairly (4.3.5), and treat all employees equitably regardless of background (4.3.6).
The General Orders reinforce ethical standards in practical terms. GO 03101 establishes the fundamental duty: an officer is required to discharge any government duties and may be stationed wherever their presence is necessary — this reflects The Gambia's expectation that civil servants serve the nation, not just their preferred posting. GO 03113 prohibits the use of Public Officers for private purposes during official working hours — a practical anti-exploitation rule protecting both the public interest and junior officers from abuse by superiors.