By Dr.Michael M Kisembo
What is good governance? Should it be the same in the West, East, Africa and particularly Uganda? What are its prerequisites? Is good governance the same as Democracy?
Also is Western democracy relevant and natural to Africa or foreign that has been imposed on us prematurely? Do we as African understand it? Is it in our DNA? Is it just a copy cut and paste something not natural to us and causing us CONFUSION?
Is the anger in us and now in our countries causing and preventing us to see any good being done – thus blocking our blocking our ability to think Critically? Has this frustration transformed us into a society of No’s to anything that comes from home?
Again, doesn’t this extreme frustration lead us to accept any person or politician that manifests himself/herself without us being principled? Are people and ideas from the diaspora the only hope for Africa or have the diasporas learned and forgot nothing in their new countries of exile or residence?
Is the West being genuine when they lecture us about good governance and democracy? Isn't President Trump a blessing in disguise for Africans to wake up. What is the way forward?
No one can claim to have answers to all these questions. An interactive conversation is therefore in order.
Characteristics and principles of Good Governance
Good governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are considered and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.
1. Participation
Participation, direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or representatives, by all is the cornerstone of good governance. It shouldn’t be taken for granted though; it needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.
2. Rule of law
Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force.
3. Transparency
Transparency means that decisions taken, and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. It also means that information is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement. It also means that enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media.
4. Responsiveness
Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
5. Consensus oriented
There are several actors and as many view points in a given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how to achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an understanding of the historical, cultural and social contexts of a given society or community.
6. Equity and inclusiveness
A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.
7. Effectiveness and efficiency
Good governance means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.
8. Accountability
Accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders. Who is accountable to whom varies depending on whether decisions or actions taken are internal or external to an organization or institution. In general, an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions. Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.
How to achieve good governance
Good governance, to be effective and sustainable, must be anchored in a vigorous working democracy which respects the rule of law, a responsible free press, energetic civil society organizations and effective and independent public bodies such as the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Prevention of Corruption Bureau and the Fair Trade Commission. The Commission is important in ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights, but also in ensuring both transparency and accountability on the part of the government. Good governance requires transparency and efficiency also in different government agencies.
At the political level democratic practices, including transparency in policy making and administration, are important aspects of good governance. This according to the west is signified by a pluralistic political system that allows the existence of diversity in political and ideological opinions. No wonder the west say that good governance is said to be more easily achieved and guaranteed in a multi-party system than in a mono-party system. It also means the holding of regular elections applying the principle of universal franchise. In order to qualify as democratic, elections must be free and fair. What kind of democracy are talking about?
Good governance deals with the nature and limits of state power. The doctrine of the separation of powers is therefore relevant in the establishment of whether or not a country has a political system that is responsive to good governance. This doctrine of the separation of powers is based on the acceptance that there are three main categories of government functions: legislative, executive, and judicial. Corresponding to these are the three main organs of government in a state – the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The doctrine insists that these three powers and functions of government in a free democracy must be kept separate and exercised by separate organs of the state.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it should be clear that good governance is an ideal which is difficult to achieve in its totality. Very few countries and societies have come close to achieving good governance in its totality. However, to ensure sustainable human development, actions must be taken and time allowed to work towards this ideal with the aim of making it a reality. Given the level of Education, Literacy, exposure, the nature of traditions and cultural norms sensitivity and predestination we can not adopt and have the nature of democracy and governance the west advocates and wants to impose on us.
We have to develop our own type and natural type of good governance and home grown nature of of democracy. African countries out to categorically articulate the interest based on the deep seated needs and wants of our citizens. We desist throat forced conditions bearing and string attached “Aids” or donations. We should always remember that there is no free lunch. Donors have always had their inherent interests in what ever they give us.
Besides, allowing African leaders and ‘legislators’ accept such donations, we are indirectly seeding our powers over these leaders to the citizens and taxpayers of foreign countries and laying off the hook your African leaders. They become more accountable to foreigners not to you citizens.
What is good governance? Should it be the same in the West, East, Africa and particularly Uganda? What are its prerequisites? Is good governance the same as Democracy?
Also is Western democracy relevant and natural to Africa or foreign that has been imposed on us prematurely? Do we as African understand it? Is it in our DNA? Is it just a copy cut and paste something not natural to us and causing us CONFUSION?
Is the anger in us and now in our countries causing and preventing us to see any good being done – thus blocking our blocking our ability to think Critically? Has this frustration transformed us into a society of No’s to anything that comes from home?
Again, doesn’t this extreme frustration lead us to accept any person or politician that manifests himself/herself without us being principled? Are people and ideas from the diaspora the only hope for Africa or have the diasporas learned and forgot nothing in their new countries of exile or residence?
Is the West being genuine when they lecture us about good governance and democracy? Isn't President Trump a blessing in disguise for Africans to wake up. What is the way forward?
No one can claim to have answers to all these questions. An interactive conversation is therefore in order.
There are several definitions and understanding of democracy and good governance. However, in general, good governance is referred to as processes and institutions that produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment. On the other hand, good governance is an ideal which is difficult to achieve in its totality. Not even in the west.
On the other hand, democracy can be defined as a form of government in which the common people hold political power and can rule themselves either directly or through elected representatives as opposed to a monarchy, theocracy, oligarchy or dictatorship. They are several kinds of this democracies: Guided, Direct, Indirect or Liberal democracies.Characteristics and principles of Good Governance
Good governance has 8 major characteristics. It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law. It assures that corruption is minimized, the views of minorities are considered and that the voices of the most vulnerable in society are heard in decision-making. It is also responsive to the present and future needs of society.
1. Participation
Participation, direct or through legitimate intermediate institutions or representatives, by all is the cornerstone of good governance. It shouldn’t be taken for granted though; it needs to be informed and organized. This means freedom of association and expression on the one hand and an organized civil society on the other hand.
2. Rule of law
Good governance requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially. It also requires full protection of human rights, particularly those of minorities. Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force.
3. Transparency
Transparency means that decisions taken, and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations. It also means that information is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions and their enforcement. It also means that enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media.
4. Responsiveness
Good governance requires that institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
5. Consensus oriented
There are several actors and as many view points in a given society. Good governance requires mediation of the different interests in society to reach a broad consensus in society on what is in the best interest of the whole community and how this can be achieved. It also requires a broad and long-term perspective on what is needed for sustainable human development and how to achieve the goals of such development. This can only result from an understanding of the historical, cultural and social contexts of a given society or community.
6. Equity and inclusiveness
A society’s well being depends on ensuring that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and do not feel excluded from the mainstream of society. This requires all groups, but particularly the most vulnerable, have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.
7. Effectiveness and efficiency
Good governance means that processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at their disposal. The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and the protection of the environment.
8. Accountability
Accountability is a key requirement of good governance. Not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders. Who is accountable to whom varies depending on whether decisions or actions taken are internal or external to an organization or institution. In general, an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions. Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.
How to achieve good governance
Good governance, to be effective and sustainable, must be anchored in a vigorous working democracy which respects the rule of law, a responsible free press, energetic civil society organizations and effective and independent public bodies such as the Commission for Human Rights and Good Governance, Prevention of Corruption Bureau and the Fair Trade Commission. The Commission is important in ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights, but also in ensuring both transparency and accountability on the part of the government. Good governance requires transparency and efficiency also in different government agencies.
At the political level democratic practices, including transparency in policy making and administration, are important aspects of good governance. This according to the west is signified by a pluralistic political system that allows the existence of diversity in political and ideological opinions. No wonder the west say that good governance is said to be more easily achieved and guaranteed in a multi-party system than in a mono-party system. It also means the holding of regular elections applying the principle of universal franchise. In order to qualify as democratic, elections must be free and fair. What kind of democracy are talking about?
Good governance deals with the nature and limits of state power. The doctrine of the separation of powers is therefore relevant in the establishment of whether or not a country has a political system that is responsive to good governance. This doctrine of the separation of powers is based on the acceptance that there are three main categories of government functions: legislative, executive, and judicial. Corresponding to these are the three main organs of government in a state – the Legislature, the Executive and the Judiciary. The doctrine insists that these three powers and functions of government in a free democracy must be kept separate and exercised by separate organs of the state.
Conclusion
From the above discussion it should be clear that good governance is an ideal which is difficult to achieve in its totality. Very few countries and societies have come close to achieving good governance in its totality. However, to ensure sustainable human development, actions must be taken and time allowed to work towards this ideal with the aim of making it a reality. Given the level of Education, Literacy, exposure, the nature of traditions and cultural norms sensitivity and predestination we can not adopt and have the nature of democracy and governance the west advocates and wants to impose on us.
We have to develop our own type and natural type of good governance and home grown nature of of democracy. African countries out to categorically articulate the interest based on the deep seated needs and wants of our citizens. We desist throat forced conditions bearing and string attached “Aids” or donations. We should always remember that there is no free lunch. Donors have always had their inherent interests in what ever they give us.
Besides, allowing African leaders and ‘legislators’ accept such donations, we are indirectly seeding our powers over these leaders to the citizens and taxpayers of foreign countries and laying off the hook your African leaders. They become more accountable to foreigners not to you citizens.
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