The Public Leadership Ethics Secretariat has called for a broader alliance among government institutions, the media, civil society and public communication professionals to strengthen ethics education as part of efforts to curb corruption, abuse of office and other governance challenges.
The appeal was made by the Ethics Commissioner, retired Judge Sivangilwa Mwangesi, who said sustained public awareness is essential to promoting integrity, accountability and ethical conduct in both public leadership and the civil service.
His remarks, delivered on his behalf by Omar Juma, Secretary of the Department of Ethics Promotion at the President's Office – Public Leadership Ethics Secretariat, were made during a stakeholders' meeting on public ethics education in Morogoro.
Mr Mwangesi said no single institution could effectively tackle ethical misconduct on its own, underscoring the need for partnerships with professionals experienced in public outreach and communication.
"One finger cannot kill a louse. We need to exchange ideas with public education experts on the most effective ways of delivering ethics education to citizens," he said.
He identified abuse of office for personal gain, conflicts of interest, corruption, favouritism, and a lack of transparency and accountability in decision-making as among the country's most pressing ethical challenges.
According to the Commissioner, strengthening public awareness among both citizens and public servants is critical to addressing these issues and fostering a culture of integrity across public institutions.
He also cited the failure to provide accurate information to the public and violations of the principles of good governance and professional ethics as persistent concerns that require sustained attention.
Speaking at the meeting, Mr Juma said stakeholders involved in public education have a crucial role in bridging the gap between government and citizens while helping to build a culture of ethical leadership and public accountability.
He noted that the Secretariat has expanded its outreach beyond stakeholder engagements by using multiple communication platforms, including public meetings, exhibitions, publications, seminars, conferences and the media, to promote ethical values nationwide.
The meeting brought together public education stakeholders to discuss more effective strategies for enhancing ethics awareness, with participants stressing that stronger collaboration will be vital in reinforcing integrity, transparency and accountability in Tanzania's public service.
