Dancia Penn will serve as chairperson of the Integrity Commission.
The Virgin Islands has officially launched its Integrity Commission, an independent body set up to promote ethical conduct and prevent corruption in public life.
Members of the Commission received their orientation on March 27 during a session attended by Governor Daniel Pruce and Premier Dr Natalio Wheatley. The Commission was formed under the Integrity in Public Life Act, 2021 which aims to strengthen good governance across the territory.
The Act provides a framework to ensure that individuals in public life adhere to high ethical standards. It includes a code of conduct, requirements for declaring income, assets, liabilities, gifts, and private interests, and penalties for misconduct and neglect of duty.
The newly appointed members of the Commission are Dancia Penn OBE, KC, who will serve as Chairperson; Reynell Frazer, Gene Creque, Rev Sandra Walters Malone, and Dr Robert Mactavious. Members of the Commission are appointed by the Governor in agreement with the Premier.
“The Integrity Commission is an independent body established under the Integrity in Public Life Act, 2021, in the Virgin Islands. Its primary role is to promote and enhance ethical conduct among individuals in public life, thereby strengthening good governance and preventing corruption within the public sector,” a government statement said.
The formation of the Integrity Commission comes after several years of discussion about the need to address public concerns over accountability. In 2022, then-Premier Andrew Fahie announced that steps were being taken to operationalise the Commission, noting its importance in supporting transparency and ethical behaviour in government.
In 2023, the Governor’s Office confirmed that it continued to receive reports of political victimisation, further highlighting the need for oversight bodies such as the Integrity Commission to receive and address complaints of wrongdoing.
As the Commission begins its work, it is expected to investigate complaints, conduct inquiries into misconduct, and support public officials in complying with ethical standards. The Commission’s presence is also intended to increase public confidence in the government’s ability to manage public affairs fairly and transparently.
The launch of the Integrity Commission marks a key milestone in the Virgin Islands’ efforts to build a culture of integrity in public service.
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