DECENTRALIZATION AND GOOD GOVERNANCE Dr David Ayres Consultant 5 November

A Key Question  How does good governance relate to D&D reform? 2

What is Governance?  It means different things to different people.  Making decisions and taking action.  Governance is about the institutional environment in which citizens interact among themselves, and with government agencies/officials.  Institutional environment  Citizens interact among themselves  Citizens interact with government .... And government interacts within itself 3

What is Good Governance?  It is about the process for making decisions and taking action  “Getting policies right” is not sufficient for good governance  It is also about how governments actually deliver to their citizens what they say they will deliver. 4

Elements of Good Governance?  There is no single definition of good governance  Most would agree with the following elements:  Accountability  Transparency  Participation  Predictability 5

Accountability I 6  Readiness or preparedness to give an explanation or justification to relevant others (stakeholders) for one's judgements, intentions, acts and omissions when appropriately called upon to do so.  It is about how we answer for the things we are responsible for

Accountability II 7  Accountability is linked to responsibility.... Anyone who is responsible is thereby accountable.  Is about making people answerable for their decisions and actions.  In government... ... government is accountable to the people who elected it ... Public officials are accountable to the government, which is accountable to the people

Accountability: Example 8  Mr X employs me to do tasks A, B and C  I am responsible for A, B and C  I am accountable to Mr X for A, B and C  The people elect the government to make decisions and take actions  The government is responsible for making the decisions and taking the actions (it promised at elections)  The government is accountable to the people for its decisions and actions.

Transparency I 9  Transparency refers to the availability of information to the general public and clarity about government rules, regulations, and decisions.  Why do we need it?  It is linked to accountability  It reduces uncertainty  Can help inhibit corruption among public officials.

Transparency: Example 10  A district office is delegated the task of collecting fees for a particular service.  Transparency: The service fees are published and widely known  Transparency: The amount of fees collected by the office is published and available

Participation I 11  Is about people have a voice in decision-making.  Government spends people’s money on the things people think are important  Can be direct:  People talking to government officials  People voting for government  Can be indirect:  Civil Society Organisations talk to government on behalf of their members  Why?  Democracy does not automatically mean people’s concerns are considered in decision-making.

Predictability I 12  The fair and consistent application of laws, regulations, and policies  Why do we need it?  Plan and make decisions.  Attract business and investment.  Corruption is the enemy of predictability!

How does “GG” relate to “D&D” 13  D&D can improve or enhance good governance because it brings government closer to the people

EXAMPLE 14  Government has a policy of “free” primary education  Accountability:  Government is responsible for implementing the policy  Government is accountable to the people for the success of the policy  Government officials (bureaucracy) are responsible to the government

EXAMPLE II 15  Transparency:  Information about the “free” education policy should be known  Information about the cost of the policy should be available  Participation:  People vote for government because they like the policy  Teacher Union and parents talk to government about some officials charging fees (preventing corruption)

EXAMPLE III 16  Predictability:  Policy is known and consistent  Parents can make decisions about enrolling their children at school with certainty

EXAMPLE: Decentralization 17  The government transfers responsibility for enforcing the policy to commune councils.  Accountability: Council is accountable to government for the function Council is accountable to people  Transparency: Communes are closer to the people... Easier to make information available  Participation: It is easier for people to communicate with commune

QUESTIONS 18