Accountability

Accountability refers to answerability, blameworthiness, liability, and the expectation of account-giving.

Accountability of a public servant

• A Public servant is accountable to the minister for the responsibility and authority he or she exercises on the minister’s behalf.
• The Public servant is accountable for upholding the law and adhering to the policies and guidelines of the government.
• The Public servant is accountable for ensuring that the programmes, schemes, and projects of the government are delivered effectively, impartially, and courteously.
• Finally, Public servants are accountable for maintaining clear records of the reasons explaining the decisions that they take and implement.

How I should be accountable?

• I should always stand ready to give an accounting of my behavior and actions.
• I should be accountable to both my personal and professional life.
• I appreciate the fact that taking responsibility engenders trust in others.
• I realize that full accountability silences critics and reassures stakeholders.

There are two dimensions of accountability. First is formal or legal accountability which involves faithful obedience to the law, to higher officials’ directions, and to standards of efficiency. Second is ethical behaviour; adherence to moral standards and avoidance even of the appearance of unethical actions. Accountability can be enforced through external and internal controls. External controls include: legislative supervision of administrative actions; judicial scrutiny of administrative decisions and procedures; and participation of citizens in administrative processes. Internal controls include: the use of rules and procedures, making administration transparent, provision for whistle blowers, democratizing organizations and promotion of professional and ethical standards.

Over strict enforcement of accountability can prove counterproductive. There is a conflict between the value of accountability and the: values of originality, experimentation, inventiveness and risk-taking.