What ethical practices for posterity to inherit?

Editorial Cartoon.

What do we – today’s generation of Tanzanians – plan, expect or hope to leave those to come after us with on the ethical conduct and practice plane when we pass on?

Do we see any promise of future generations behaving or living any more ethically than us? And do we really care which way the winds is blowing now or will be blowing when we are gone?

In asking these questions we have in mind those in high-profile positions of power, authority or influence and those commonly looked to for leadership or guidance at the household level or in the wider sphere.

Indeed, the net could be cast even wider and cover ordinary citizens as well, as even the least regarded or most disadvantaged people count and can make a difference in society.
So, here we go again: going by current trends, will Tanzanians progressively grow into a nation caring more for ethical conduct and practice than now obtains?

Unfortunately, it all those honest to themselves will likely confess that we are well wide of the mark and only an overhaul of our ways of doing things will redeem us and ensure we guarantee posterity a rewarding life.

True, over the decades, we have seen public institutions including none other than the government itself, corporate bodies, professional associations, etc., etc., draft and launch expertly crafted codes of ethical conduct and practice, but to what effect really?

Small wonder, then, that pessimists cynically remark that the codes just won’t work the “miracles” even the severest laws or regulations ever drawn up and endorsed for implementation have failed to realise.

A few of the examples coming readily to mind include the hard and thorny road travelled by the ages-old CCM Leadership Code, the ill-fated Arusha Declaration (of socialism and self-reliance), and the pieces of legislation guiding the operations of the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance and the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau.

Nor is the country’s “mother law” – the national Constitution – spared sardonic criticism for, surely, it too has its fare share of deficiencies.

For instance, it is argued that the final draft of the Proposed Constitution lays much less emphasis on the importance of ethical conduct and practice particularly for public leaders than does the one currently in use.

Experts say there is much more to being a leader than merely being put in charge and that effective leadership is about developing, encouraging and preparing people to do their very best work, all along feeling good about it.

They say the recipe for sustainable success in leadership is a combination of attributes like ability to lead by example, observing ethics and demonstration of unqualified integrity, confidence and commitment to work.

With this, desisting from corruption and other factors that trigger injustices in society is accorded pride of place as an attribute of truly effective leadership and genuinely good governance.

Other ingredients cited include ability to foster and liberate potential as well as focusing on success, which would translate into demonstration of ability to overcome adversity.

Who can dare swear that this is the ‘legacy’ we will bequeath to the Tanzanians of tomorrow and beyond? It’s food for thought.

SOURCE: THE GUARDIAN