Corruption In Africa Shaimika Jones Waldorf University Pa 53

8corruption In Africanshaimika Joneswaldorf Universitypa 5302professor

Research Topic How are morals and ethics used to fight corruption in African countries? The problem to be investigated What is the degree of corruption in the African States? Why the problem is of interest Corruption in most African states has a rampant factor that has affected almost all the states in Africa. Corruption has led to the hindrance of economic development, and as a result, many citizens are suffering. Corruption also reduces the trust that the people have for their government and as a result, less economic development is achieved.

In the case of Africa, most roads and transport means are poor because the money that was supposed to be originally funded for road system development has been taken by the wealthy politicians. Also, the healthcare system is in a total mess following the looting of money by the government officials. The recent Covid-19 pandemic has exposed this and it is evident that some African states are corrupt. However, most countries have been fighting corruption, and this has led to increased development but still more needs to be done so that the effects brought by corruption can be at least reduced.

Literature Review

In the previous research conducted, several research articles have shown pieces of evidence of corruption occurrence in Africa. According to an article report on Corruption in Africa on the threat to sustainable peace and justice by Elizabeth, it is established that corruption is an undesirable form of behavior in the organization that tends to lead to underdevelopment. From the research article, the people who seem to be responsible for this corruption are the topnotch officials at the government who embezzle all the funds used for public expenditure. These politicians embezzle these funds because they are the people who handle these finances on behalf of the citizens. Instead of using the finances and resources wisely, the politicians end up using all the money given for public resources to their own advantage. The lack of proper judicial systems that can investigate the corruption scene is also a contributing factor.

Most of the judges and magistrates who make rulings in court are too corrupt, and as a result, the battle on corruption becomes a hard one. During the court hearings, the politicians offer bribes to judges and magistrates, leading to unfair rulings. In an African governance report by the United Nations on the Economic Commission of Africa, it has been investigated that governance is directly linked to corruption. The report also states that corruption has led to low social equity in society, widening the gap between the poor and the rich.

In a study carried out by Khazanchi, the author defines ethics as the set of moral values guiding management. These values, such as morals and ethics, are expressed differently across cultures, with western society often emphasizing individual morality and integrity, while eastern cultures highlight societal and collective morals. Over the past four decades, ethical codes have been developed to guide responses to corruption. Citizens are expected to take social responsibility to strengthen efforts against corruption in African countries.

Introduction

Corruption in most African countries has been hindering social, political, and economic development. It is a substantial barrier to fundamental freedoms, good governance, and economic growth. Previous research estimates that over half of the citizens perceive corruption as increasingly complex and pervasive in their countries. Many nations view corruption as a political and bureaucratic phenomenon characteristic of underdeveloped nations. In public administration, Western countries traditionally drew upon their own standards of ethics and governance to establish accountability, transparency, and integrity frameworks. These strategies have been implemented in African nations with varying degrees of success.

Various measures have been proposed and adopted to curb corruption in African countries. Emphasizing ethics within public administration has been a primary strategy, assuming that ethical conduct can deter corrupt behavior. Citizens' active participation and personal responsibility, such as scrutinizing public officials and demanding accountability, are vital for the success of anti-corruption initiatives. However, the persistence of corruption is often linked to cultural attitudes that diminish the perceived severity of corrupt acts and promote tolerance. Aggressive efforts to establish legal deterrents and institutional reforms are crucial, but they must be complemented by fostering a culture of integrity and transparency.

Narrative

Today, corruption remains a significant challenge across African countries, with Zimbabwe and Somalia frequently cited as the most corrupt. Despite the efforts of integrity organizations and government initiatives, systemic corruption persists in both high-level and local levels of government. Factors contributing to corruption include bureaucratic inefficiencies, lack of transparency, inadequate supervision, employment issues within public services, and pervasive abuse of power (Knutsen et al., 2018).

Progress has been made through the implementation of mechanisms aimed at increasing accountability among public officials. These include anti-corruption agencies, enhanced legal frameworks, and international cooperation. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of these measures is often undermined by weak institutions, political interference, and limited political will to enforce anti-corruption laws robustly.

Fundamentally, addressing corruption requires embedding ethics and integrity within the operational culture of government institutions. This involves training public officials in ethics, establishing transparent procedures, and holding individuals accountable for breaches. Community participation and civil society oversight also have critical roles in monitoring government actions and promoting anti-corruption norms.

Ethical Context

The application of morals and ethics to combat corruption has gained increasing prominence in Africa over recent years. Historically, discussions of ethics in Africa focused on work ethics and professional conduct rather than systemic corruption. However, incidents of corruption in the 1970s prompted renewed academic and policy interest in ethics within public administration. Reports from 2003 and beyond emphasize that low public confidence, or the so-called 'confidence deficit,' weakens institutional legitimacy and undermines efforts to combat corruption (Pring & Vrushi, 2019).

Several elements are essential to developing an effective ethical infrastructure against corruption. These include strong civil society oversight, professional codes of conduct, transparent public administration processes, adequate working conditions for civil servants, and political will. These elements are interconnected; their success depends on the country's cultural context and institutional support for ethical practices.

In 2015, a report highlighted that establishing ethical standards involves creating mechanisms for supervision, ensuring accountability, and cultivating an organizational culture rooted in honesty and service to the public. These mechanisms must be tailored to the local socio-political environment while drawing on global best practices.

Recommendations

To effectively combat corruption in African countries, a set of ethical principles should guide public sector conduct. These principles include:

• Selflessness: Public officials should prioritize public interests over personal gains and avoid using their position for private enrichment.
• Integration: Ethical behavior should be integrated into all aspects of public duties, promoting a whole-of-society approach.
• Objectivity: Decisions and appointments should be based on merit rather than favoritism or bribes.
• Accountability: Officials must be responsible for their actions and transparent in their use of public resources.
• Honesty: Truthfulness and integrity should underpin all dealings, fostering trust in public institutions.

Implementing these principles requires establishing strong institutional frameworks, legal safeguards, ethical training, and fostering a culture that condemns corruption at all levels. Civil society, media, and international partners also play vital roles in promoting oversight and accountability.

Summary and Conclusion

Corruption remains one of the most significant obstacles to sustainable development in Africa, undermining economic progress, social cohesion, and government legitimacy (Sulemana & Kpienbrae, 2018). While various measures have been introduced, the effectiveness of anti-corruption efforts hinges on embedding a strong ethical culture within public institutions and society. Cultivating integrity, transparency, and accountability through education, legal reforms, and civil society engagement is essential for reducing corruption levels.

The perception of ethics as a tool for fighting corruption is closely tied to the prevailing cultural norms and institutional support systems. Citizens and leaders must work together to uphold these moral standards, with continuous efforts to improve transparency and enforce accountability. Global experiences suggest that sustainable anti-corruption strategies are those that combine legal measures with a societal shift toward greater ethical awareness and collective responsibility.

References

• Knutsen, C. H., Kotsadam, A., Olsen, E. H., & Wig, T. (2017). Mining and local corruption in Africa. American Journal of Political Science, 61(2), 419-433.
• Pring, C., & Vrushi, J. (2019). Global Corruption Barometer: Africa 2019. Transparency International.
• Sulemana, I., & Kpienbrae, D. (2018). An empirical examination of the relationship between income inequality and corruption in Africa. Economic Analysis and Policy, 60, 27-42.
• Transparency International. (2020). Corruption Perceptions Index 2020. Retrieved from https://www.transparency.org/en/cpi/2020/index/nzl
• United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). (2019). Corruption and Crime in Africa. UNODC Report.
• Vigoda, A., & Shapira, H. (2020). Ethical reforms and anti-corruption in Africa: Challenges and prospects. Journal of African Governance & Development, 4(1), 45-62.
• World Bank Group. (2021). Anti-Corruption Initiatives in Africa: Progress and Challenges. World Bank Publications.
• Bekoe, D., & Soota, R. (2019). Civil society and anti-corruption strategies in Africa. Global Governance, 25(2), 153-169.
• Ndegwa, S. N. (2020). The role of leadership in fighting corruption: Evidence from Africa. African Journal of Political Science, 25(1), 89-104.
• Bachmann, M., & Slemrod, J. (2019). Institutional reforms and corruption reduction: Lessons for sub-Saharan Africa. Development Policy Review, 37(2), 123-139.