Anti-Bribery and Anti-Corruption Policy

Gold Board

40+ Years of
Service

Corruption

“Corruption”- Transparency International defines corruption as the abuse of entrusted power for private gain.

Person in Public Life

“Person in Public Life” - Section 1 of the Integrity Commission Act defines a person in public life as a person who holds any specified office and includes a person stated in section 42 of the Integrity Commission Act whether or not mentioned in Schedule I of the Integrity Commission Act.

Public Servant

“Public Servant”-means- According to Art 232 of the Constitution of Guyana Chapter 1:01, public servant means the service of the Government of Guyana in a civil capacity.

Definitions

Bribery

“Bribery” – refers to the act, giving, promising, asking, agreeing, receiving, accepting, or soliciting something of value or of an advantage so to induce or influence an action or decision. It also refers to any inducement, reward, or object/item of value offered to another individual in order to gain commercial, contractual, regulatory, or personal advantage.

Bribery is not limited to the act of offering a bribe. If an individual is on the receiving end of a bribe and they accept it, they are also breaking the law. Bribery is illegal. Employees must not engage in any form of bribery, whether it be directly, passively (as described above), or through a third party (such as an agent or distributor). They must not accept bribes in any degree and if they are uncertain about whether something is a bribe or a gift or act of hospitality, they must seek further advice from the Board’s General Manager.

Policy

What is and what is not acceptable?

Bribes

Employees must not engage in any form of bribery, either directly or through any third party (such as an agent or distributor). Specifically, employees must not receive a bribe from any person.

Extortion

Employees must not directly or indirectly demand or accept a bribe, facilitation payment or kickback or other payment by any means, including without limitation threat of force, intimidation or exercise of authority.

Gifts and Hospitality

Guyana Gold Board accepts normal and appropriate gestures of hospitality and goodwill (whether received from/ given to third parties) so long as the receiving or giving of gifts meets the gift requirements:

Political Contributions

Guyana Gold Board will not make donations, whether in cash, kind, or by any other means, to support any political parties or candidates. We recognise this may be perceived as an attempt to gain an improper business advantage.

Charitable Contributions

1. Guyana Gold Board accepts (and indeed encourages) the act of donating to charities– whether through services, knowledge, time, or direct financial contributions (cash or otherwise) – and agrees to disclose all charitable contributions it makes.
2. GGB must be careful to ensure that charitable contributions are not used to facilitate and conceal acts of bribery.
3. GGB will ensure that all charitable donations made are legal and ethical under local laws and practices, and that donations are not offered/received without the approval of the General Manager.

Gift Requirements

It is not made with the intention of influencing the party to whom it is being given, to obtain or reward the retention of a business or a business advantage, or as an explicit or implicit exchange for favours or benefits.
It is not made with the suggestion that a return favour is expected.
It is in compliance with the laws of Guyana specifically the Integrity Commission Act Chapter 19:12 and the Code of Conduct.
It is given in the name of the company, not in an individual’s name.
It does not include cash or a cash equivalent (e.g., a voucher or gift certificate) amounting to more than Ten Thousand Dollars (GYD$ 10,000).

It is appropriate for the circumstances (e.g., giving small gifts around Christmas or as a small thank you from a customer or a company for helping with a large project upon completion).
It is of an appropriate type and value and given at an appropriate time, taking into account the reason for the gift.
It is given/received openly, not secretly.
It is not selectively given to a key, influential person such as a manager or supervisor, clearly with the intention of directly influencing them.
It is not offered to, or accepted from, a government official or representative or politician, political party, a licensed gold dealer, licensed gold trader or any customer of GGB without the prior approval of GGB’s General Manager.