In today’s edition of The Point, the minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation Momodou Tangara has told lawmakers that they are currently preparing policies and regulatory documents to provide the laws and regulations for Gambian ambassadors in other countries.
The move is not only timely, but a crucial step in the right direction.
In the recent past the lack of performance and disgraceful conduct of staff at some of the country foreign embassies around the world leaves much to be desired. They’ve not only shamed themselves but also put the image of the country in disrepute.
Thus, coming up with such an important policy would not only help in selecting the right candidate, but would also help portray a good image of the country outside.
People should always remember that being appointed a diplomat overseas also comes with many challenges.
Diplomats should be individuals whom we always look up to as role models.
The policy regulations currently undergoing preparation, according to the minister, is aimed at providing the appropriate laws and regulations for its staff at headquarters and the foreign missions.
We only believe when this Code of Conduct, if ready, will bring a robust change by appointing individuals who can serve the country overseas.
From experience, all the appointments made in the foreign service are based on the expectations that the concerned persons should be well comforted, and their actions fully dictated by existing rules, regulations and the dignified customs of the civil service.
However, in view of this fact it is high time the government starts thinking or embracing new ways of recruiting people who would serve as a country's diplomat overseas.
As the Foreign Minister rightly put it, the foreign service does not exist in a legal vacuum as in addition to the existing foreign service regulations, there are the General Order and Financial Regulations.
They set the overarching regulations parameters guiding the action and behavior of foreign service staff at headquarters and overseas missions including the officers from other ministries and departments.
Thus, it is not acceptable that a foreign service staff member should behave in a manner that transgresses the rules and regulations of the civil service particularly when they are posted in their overseas missions.
To whom much is given, much is expected!