Kumasi — Ms. JOYCE R. Aryee, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ghana Chamber of Mines has stated that in order to extricate this country out of the terrible but self-imposed morass, there is the need to demonstrate competence and a higher regard for the ethics in "all our endeavours", especially in the provision of public services.

According to her, the essence of being a public servant or aspiring for such a position is not for amassing wealth at the expense of the public good, but rather "it is service to mankind and to one's country".

She emphasized that the public service was tagged with 'professionalism' and public officials were expected to show a degree of special attainment, competence and altruism in their dealings with the rest of the community, but in return the officials received certain privileges at the workplace and in society at large which should not be so.

Speaking under the theme, "Professionalism in Nation Building: Balancing Competence and Ethics" at the 33rd graduation ceremony of the Christian Service University College (CSUC) in Kumasi over the weekend, Ms Aryee stated that public service committed to professionalism and ethics is more likely to help in nation building if it has in place an 'ethics infrastructure' or an 'integrity system'.

These concepts, according to her, represent a system of self regulation as well as institutions that truly provide incentives and penalties for public officials to professionally carry out their duties and engage in proper conduct. She suggested that in order to promote professionalism in public service, there must be in place a career system based on the merit principle, which fairly and impartially recruits and promotes public servants.

"Greed, selfishness, abuse of power, distrust, lack of compassion and integrity have become issues of major concern whenever we discuss the state of the nation. At the core of these concerns are issues of leadership, professionalism and ethical standards", she stressed.

The CEO mentioned that as a result of shady deals, misappropriation of funds, "people are now debating poor leadership, corruption and unprofessional behavior especially in the public service".

Professor Emmanuel Frempong, the President of CSUC reiterated that the aim of the University College is to prepare students who are well trained and motivated spiritually, academically and professionally to serve the church and society in all spheres of life. He said "it is our duty to promote and encourage the formation of moral character and the application of biblical ethics to contemporary moral issues".

He disclosed that the University College now has a student population of 1,951implying a 23.3% increase over last year's student population of 1,584.

In all 391 students graduated from the University College of which a 54-year-old Minister of the Methodist Church of Ghana, Rev. Kwasi Addai Baah emerged as the overall best student.