The history of the public service in The Bahamas can be traced back to the late 19th century when the islands were a British colony. At that time, the public service was composed of officials appointed by the British government to oversee the country's affairs. In 1973, The Bahamas achieved full independence from the UK, and the public service was reorganised to reflect the new political reality. The Government established the Public Service Commission (PSC) to oversee the administration of the civil service, and several new ministries were created. Today, the Bahamian public service is a large and complex organisation that plays a critical role in the functioning of the Government and the provision of services. The public service employs thousands of people across a wide range of ministries and agencies, and is responsible for everything from healthcare and education to public safety and infrastructure.
According to the Public Service Establishment and Emoluments Orders report issued by the Public Service Commission, as of December 31, 2019, the total number of persons employed in the public service was 27,022. In 2021, it was reported that the public service workforce of The Bahamas accounted for around 6.9 percent of the total employed labour force in the country. With a such a great deal of responsibility, a well-functioning public sector can help to support economic growth and development by providing a stable regulatory environment, investing in infrastructure and human capital, and promoting entrepreneurship and innovation. In this segment we will discuss the need to reform some aspects of the public service for a more progressive and sustainable Bahamas.
The need for reform
Reforming the public sector is essential for promoting sustainable development, improving service delivery, promoting transparency and accountability, and advancing good governance. One of the major challenges facing the public sector in The Bahamas is the need to address long-standing issues of bureaucracy and inefficiency, which can result in delays and reduced effectiveness in the delivery of key services. The Government has undertaken several initiatives to address these challenges, including the implementation of a new e-government platform aimed at streamlining processes and improving service delivery.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain in the public sector, including issues related to staffing and capacity, as well as ongoing concerns around corruption and accountability. In recent years, the Auditor General has issued several reports highlighting issues of concern in the public sector. The Auditor General is responsible for auditing the financial statements and operations of government ministries, departments and agencies in The Bahamas. The reports outlined a few issues on the public sector, including:
Deficiencies in financial management practices. There are significant deficiencies in financial management practices within various government ministries and agencies. These deficiencies include issues such as inadequate financial record keeping, a lack of oversight of financial transactions, and insufficient controls over government assets.
Procurement irregularities. It was found that there were several instances where procurement processes were not followed properly, leading to the awarding of contracts without proper competition or evaluation. This can result in a waste of public funds and undermine confidence in government contracting processes.
Delays in public service delivery. The reports have pointed out the issue of delays in the delivery of public services, particularly in areas such as healthcare and education. These delays can negatively impact citizens and can result in a loss of trust in the Government.
Weaknesses in internal controls. The Auditor General has identified weaknesses in internal controls within government agencies, which can increase the risk of fraud, waste and abuse.
Inadequate monitoring and evaluation. The Auditor General has identified a lack of effective monitoring and evaluation of government programmes and projects, which can result in a failure to achieve desired outcomes and can lead to a waste of public funds.
Corruption in the public sector
In The Bahamas, corruption in the public sector is a pervasive issue that is causing concern among citizens, civil society groups and international partners. This problem takes various forms, such as bribery, embezzlement and abuse of power, and has far-reaching negative consequences for government operations, public service delivery and the overall welfare of the population. Transparency International publishes an annual Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) that assesses the perceived levels of corruption in the public sector of multiple countries. The 2020 CPI placed The Bahamas in 30th position out of 180 countries, scoring 63 out of 100. Although the country's ranking indicates moderate levels of corruption, a score below 50 is viewed as a serious corruption issue. Despite consistently ranking in the upper half of countries on the CPI, corruption remains a major concern in The Bahamas. The Government has implemented measures to tackle corruption, but there is still a need to improve accountability and transparency within government institutions.
In recent years, several high-profile cases and allegations have brought these issue to the forefront of public debate in The Bahamas. These cases have involved allegations of bribery, extortion, fraud and other claims. Some notable examples are:
In early 2019, former senator Frank Smith was totally acquitted of 15 extortion and bribery-related charges concerning his time as the Public Hospitals Authority (PHA) chairman. Chief Magistrate Joyann Ferguson-Pratt threw out the charges against him after finding there was no case to answer, ruling that the prosecution's main witness was not credible, and highlighting discrepancies and inconsistencies in her testimony.
Shane Gibson, a former Cabinet Minister, was acquitted and cleared in November 2019 of 15 counts of bribery. He had been accused of soliciting and accepting thousands of dollars from Jonathan Ash to expedite payments the Government owed to the contractor, but was fully exonerated.
Former Cabinet Minister Lanisha Rolle was charged in March with one count of bribery and 14 counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false pretences concerning contracts worth over $750,000. The charges relate to her time in office from 2019 to 2021. She is presently free on bail.
The Government has taken several steps to strengthen anti-corruption measures, and promote transparency and accountability in government operations. These measures include the establishment of an anti-corruption unit within the Office of the Attorney General, the development of a code of ethics for public officials, and the introduction of new legislation aimed at strengthening anti-corruption measures. However, challenges remain in the fight against corruption in the public sector in The Bahamas.
These challenges include a lack of resources and capacity in government agencies responsible for enforcing anti-corruption measures, as well as ongoing concerns around political interference and the effectiveness of anti-corruption measures in practice. Overall, addressing corruption in the public sector is critical to building trust in government, promoting transparency and accountability, and ensuring that public resources are used effectively and for the benefit of citizens.
The National Development Plan
The National Development Plan (NDP) of The Bahamas includes several strategies for improving the public sector. By implementing these and other measures outlined in the plan, The Bahamas can work to improve the public sector and promote sustainable development.
Some key takeaways that can help to improve the public sector include:
Strengthening accountability. The NDP emphasises the need for strong accountability mechanisms in government operations, including using performance-based management systems and regular audits. This can help to promote transparency and ensure that public resources are used effectively and efficiently.
Investing in human capital. The NDP recognises the importance of investing in human capital, including by providing training and professional development opportunities for public sector employees. This can help to improve the skills and expertise of public servants, leading to better service delivery and increased efficiency.
Promoting digitisation: The NDP highlights the need for greater use of digital technologies in government operations, including for service delivery and data management. This can help to improve the speed and quality of government services, and can also help to reduce the risk of corruption and other forms of misconduct.
Enhancing public-private partnerships: The NDP encourages greater collaboration between the public and private sectors, including through public-private partnerships (PPPs). This can help to leverage private sector expertise and resources to improve service delivery and promote economic growth.
Strengthening governance frameworks: The NDP emphasises the need for strong governance frameworks, including anti-corruption measures and ethical standards for public officials. This can help to promote transparency, accountability and integrity in government operations, and can help to reduce the risk of corrupt practices.
Conclusion
Reforming the public sector in The Bahamas is a critical task that requires the attention and support of government, civil society and citizens. The issues facing the public sector are significant and can undermine public trust in government institutions, leading to a loss of confidence in the rule of law. However, by implementing the strategies outlined in the National Development Plan and other initiatives, The Bahamas can work to improve the quality and efficiency of public services, promote transparency and accountability, support economic growth, and advance good governance. Reforming the public sector is an ongoing process that requires sustained commitment and effort, but it is essential for building a prosperous and sustainable future for The Bahamas and its citizens.
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