UNSIA Newsletter Issue 1, December 1997

Table of Contents

Democracy essential for good governance

The second African Governance Forum (AGF II) was jointly organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) within the framework of the UN Special Initiative on Africa in Accra, Ghana, from 25 to 26 June 1998. It was hosted by the Government of Ghana with the financial support of the governments of Norway and Switzerland, and the European Commission.

"Although democracy is a difficult process that requires vigilance and constant nurturing, it is absolutely essential to good governance. The issue for us in Africa is not whether to democratize, but how _ and how soon," said Mr. K.Y. Amoako, ECA's Executive Secretary, opening the second Africa Governance Forum. "Accountable and transparent systems, political liberalization, the rule of law and respect for human rights are the bedrock of a democratic state. But democracy is not sufficient to assure the governance structure a modern state requires. A capable state must be crafted carefully, and we must learn from each other what works under what conditions."

In collaboration with partners, particularly UNDP, under the Special Initiative on Africa, he said, ECA planned to build on its past work in promoting the capable state, where the focus would be on advocacy, advisory services and capacity-building for policy analysis and economic management. This plan would broaden and refine a governance work programme for qualitative development and for monitoring progress in African countries.

Accountability and transparency, as the sole agenda of the Forum, forced individuals and organizations to be answerable for conferred responsibilities. Transparency ensured unobstructed access to data and information from public as well as private sources, that were accurate, timely, relevant and comprehensive. It underscored tolerance for public debate, scrutiny, and questioning of political, economic and social policy choices. Accountability and transparency strengthened legitimacy and ensured that citizens are truly in charge of their government.

African countries since independence have made significant efforts to nurture systems, structures, processes and practices to uphold accountability and transparency. Constitutions in virtually all African countries provide for accountability and transparency, but the manner in which these systems have performed has posed problems, especially with the absence of supportive mechanisms, civil society organizations that are not active, the lack of political will, the tenacity of the one-party state culture, and inertia in consolidating political leadership.

The Forum aimed at: -- Providing a platform for African governments, civil society and the external partners to dialogue on the state of good governance on the continent, within the optic of national programmes;

• Promoting partnership; sharing and exchanging experiences, information, and good practices; and
• Assisting African governments to develop programmes, strengthen co-ordination mechanisms for resource mobilization in nationally defined governance programmes for sustainability.

The Forum brought together more than 80 participants ranging from high-level officials from 10 African governments, to bilateral partner countries, civil society organizations, experts from the UN system, and a number of other international actors.

A number of key issues featured in the consensus reached by the end of the Forum:

• Transparency and accountability should not be the sole concern of governments, but should interest civil society organizations as well as Africans at large;
• Measures for improving accountability and transparency, although in place, need to be transformed into more effective instruments; -- Processes, operations and institutions are being undermined by political and socio-economic factors;
• Both governments and civil society are responsible for the lack of transparency and accountability; and
• Legislation is needed for assets disclosure of all leaders in government, civil society, and parliament. Enforcement mechanisms are essential.

While the sustainability of the AGF process was seen as central to efforts by UNDP and ECA in supporting governance in Africa, primary responsibility rests with African governments themselves, with the full participation of citizens at all levels. It was also proposed that AGF should provide continuing support. AGF III, which the government of Mali has offered to host in 1999, will focus on conflict prevention, management and resolution.