‘Gifts of State’ exhibition |17 October 2017

‘A true reflection of transparency and accountability’

The Seychellois public will, as of today, be able to inspect and admire one year worth of ‘gifts of state’ in an exhibition being held at the National Cultural Centre.

The ‘Gifts of States’ exhibition, as it has been dubbed, is the first of its kind and was opened in a brief yet momentous ceremony yesterday.

In attendance were President Danny Faure, Vice-President Vincent Meriton, Designated Minister Macsuzy Mondon, President of the Court of Appeal Francis MacGregor, ministers, the Commissioner of Police Kishnan Labonte, the Attorney General Frank Ally and other well-regarded and distinguished guests.

The exhibition intends to mark and commemorate one year since the inauguration of President Faure as the President of the Republic of Seychelles on October 16, 2016.

As stated by Mohamed Afif, the Secretary of State for Cabinet Affairs, President Faure took his oaths promising a more inclusive and participative society.

He wanted, and still hopes, to see a country where honesty, integrity, social justice, good governance and transparency are not only aspired for but also attained.

It has been said by some that throughout his one year of presidency President Faure has thoroughly advocated for the above values, establishing policies and introducing legislations that build upon them.

Henceforth in the spirit of transparency and accountability, a multitude gifts of states - which are gifts the President have received from foreign delegations and  locals as well as during official state visits - have been curated for the curiosity of all.

Delicate Chinese vases and artworks, gold coins from Cuba as well as its ever-famous cigars and rum, a signed copy of the Good English Bible by Bishop French Chang-Him, New Grove rums from our Mauritian neighbour, an elephant piece from Kenya and a small wooden replica of a ship from the Comoros are only some of the exhibition pieces up for display.

Emmanuel D’Offay, the exhibition’s curator, revealed that all gifts of state offered to the President from other heads of states, ambassadors and local dignitaries were chosen to make an appearance in this exhibition.

“What I did was try to put them according to their characteristics; you can find a whole section for just tea. And that also depends on the different countries and subject matter of the gifts,” Mr D’Offay stated while explaining the exhibition’s layout.

“I also did it according to country, so you’ll find it classified by country like Zambia or China and not any specific person.”

The curator also said he believes that Seychellois would truly appreciate seeing different types of gifts the President receives, ranging from “the lightest pen to the heaviest 10 kilo elephant”.

According to the British high commissioner to Seychelles Caron Roshler, who was one of the first people to peruse the items, the exhibition reflects the new policies of transparency and accountability that has rightly become à la mode.

“The idea of the exhibition is a very interesting and a very good step in underlining the President’s commitment towards transparency and accountability and good governance. I think it is a very important symbolic step and it reminds us that we each need to be accountable and open in the work that we do,” Her Excellency remarked.

She also stated that in the British civil service, every civil servant is obliged to declare all gifts above a certain value in order to avoid accusations of corruption.

“If everybody is open about what they have received and what they have given, then one would have evidence if accused of any wrongdoings,” Mrs Roshler explained.

Mina Crea, the chief executive of the Public Ethics Commission, on her part said that this policy is also touched upon by the local code of ethics for public officers.

“Any gift given to a civil servant in that capacity is considered as a gift to the state unless cited otherwise,” she explained to Seychelles NATION.

The exhibition is open to the public for the next two weeks.

 Some of the gifts on display in the exhibition