Good governance ; The vital ingredient to sustained economic development and a better quality of life
We have stated that there can be no development anywhere without good governance.
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Governments have to make decisions on macroeconomic and social policy that have a direct impact on the long-term health of the economy, and implement same diligently to achieve tangible results.
Here policy-making (strategising) is as important as implementation. Governments must provide critical public goods and services that determine efficiency of resource allocation in the domestic economy, as well as ensure competitiveness in a highly competitive and fast-changing global economy.
Governments must foster a conducive environment for private sector wealth creation, growth and efficiency.
Public sector
To effectively lead the process of tackling the development challenge, the public sector must be strengthened to perform the key functions of poverty reduction, equitable development and participatory governance. It needs enhanced capacity to
- successfully design and implement development policies and programmes
- provide efficient and cost-effective and responsive public service
- promote a sustained environment that will facilitate the emergence of a strong and vibrant private sector and civil society
- establish and manage an effective and transparent regulatory and legal framework to guide the growth and development of the private sector.
- address the issue of transparency and accountability in public service
- enhance institutions that promote and enforce the rule of law for legitimacy, social stability and the promotion of property rights.
- manage the changing role of the public sector in the context of globalisation, market economy, multi-party democracy and information technology, which have significant implications for openness in public sector management.
- cultivate and nurture an environment that will accelerate poverty reduction and sustainable development.
Characteristics of a good public governance regime
Much has been written about the characteristics of efficient government, successful businesses and effective civil society organisations, but the characteristics of good governance defined in societal terms remain elusive. The following are the main characteristics:
• Participation – All men and women should have a voice in decision-making, either directly or through legitimate intermediate institutions that represent their interests. Such broad participation is built on freedom of association and speech, as well as capacities to participate constructively.
• Rule of law – Legal frameworks should be fair and enforced impartially, particularly the laws on human rights.
• Transparency –Transparency is built on the free flow of information. Processes, institutions and information are directly accessible to those concerned with them, and enough information is provided to understand and monitor them.
• Responsiveness – Institutions and processes try to serve all stakeholders.
• Consensus orientation – Good governance mediates differing interests to reach a broad consensus on what is in the best interest of the group and, where possible, on policies and procedures.
• Equity –All men and women have opportunities to improve or maintain their well-being.
• Effectiveness and efficiency – Processes and institutions produce results that meet needs while making the best use of resources.
• Accountability – Decision makers in government, the private sector and civil society organisations are accountable to the public, as well as to institutional stakeholders. This accountability differs depending on the organisation and whether the decision is internal or external to an organisation.
• Strategic vision – Leaders and the public have a broad and long-term perspective on good governance and human development, along with a sense of what is needed for such development. There is also an understanding of the historical, cultural and social complexities in which that perspective is grounded.
The global context
The transformation from command to market-oriented economies, the rapid development and global proliferation of new technologies, the pervasive spread of information and communication technologies, the growing importance of knowledge-based industries and skills and the continuing integration of the world economy through trade and investment, have created the foundation for a new age of sustainable human development, in which a nation is able to create and sustain equitable opportunities for all of its people. Unfortunately, a failure to leverage this can lead to global marginalisation.
If a government does not function efficiently and effectively, scarce resources will be wasted. If it does not have legitimacy in the eyes of the people, it will not be able to achieve its goals or theirs. If it is unable to build national consensus around these objectives, no external assistance can help bring them about. If it is unable to foster a strong social fabric, the society risks disintegration and chaos.
Equally important, if people are not empowered to take responsibility for their own development within an enabling framework provided by government, development will not be sustainable.
Developing countries must ensure that everyone can participate in economic and social development and take advantage of globalisation. They must build a political system that encourages government, political, business and civic leaders to articulate and pursue objectives that are centred around people and a system that promotes public consensus on these objectives.
The ultimate goal of good governance – Sustainable development
The goal of governance initiatives is to achieve national sustainable development through the development of capacities that alleviate poverty, advances women, sustains the environment and creates needed opportunities for employment and other livelihoods.
So, what is sustainable human development? The UNDP defines human development as expanding the choices for all people in society, i.e. the creation of an enabling environment in which all can enjoy long, healthy and creative lives.
It also means the protection of the natural systems on which all life depends and in consequence the protection of life opportunities for future generations..
There are five aspects to sustainable human development - all affecting the lives of the poor and vulnerable:
• Empowerment – The expansion of men and women's capabilities and choices increases their ability to exercise those choices free of hunger, want and deprivation.
• Co-operation – With a sense of belonging which is important for personal fulfillment, well-being and a sense of purpose and meaning, human development is concerned with the ways in which people work together and interact.
• Equity – The expansion of capabilities and opportunities means more than income - it also means equity, such as an educational system to which everybody should have access.
• Sustainability – The needs of this generation must be met without compromising the right of future generations to be free of poverty and deprivation and to exercise their basic capabilities.
Security – Particularly the security of livelihood. People need to be free from threats, such as disease or repression and from sudden harmful disruptions in their lives
Good governance and leadership
The main ingredient of good governance is principled-centred leadership
“Governance” derived from the word “govern”, which means; to rule a country, to control or direct the public affair of a city, control, influence something or somebody and to determine something. Governance is the activity or manner of governing.
In a similar vein, “leadership” derived from the word “leader”, which means, someone who shows people or something, the way to follow, especially by going in the front, to hold and guide someone or a group of people towards a particular direction.
From these definitions, it is obvious that governance and leadership point to the same thing, and that is direction and leading. While there can be no progress without good governance, leadership is the pivot around which good governance revolves.
Leaders are people who develop visions of future progress, develop strategies and align people behind them to achieve the visions.
A good leader must be able to render selfless service and desist from selfishness; he must make provision for training and empowering his people and encourage self employment; he must be serious with issues that concerns the youth as they are the future leaders and treat adults with respect.
Challenges facing African leadership
Good governance and leadership are concerned with one thing: the good and prosperity of society as a whole. Unfortunately, the model of leadership and governance in Africa has disappointed and betrayed peoples’ trust.
The attitude of selfishness, desire for power for power sake and a drive for money has been very pervasive. With this kind of bad governance and leadership, it is little wonder that economic progress has eluded most of sub-Sahara Africa in much of the post-independence era.
From the above, it is clear that the creation of a good governance regime on which human development depends poses serious challenges to all who hold leadership positions.
This is more so in Africa where the challenges are more pronounced.
In a world where efficiency and effectiveness constitute a sine qua non for economic and social progress, the need for effective and ethical leadership in Africa has never been more urgent.
It is my sincere hope that for our generation that is drifting on the ocean of uncertainty and despair, some anchor may lay hold upon the bottom of effective leadership.
Pull quote
The UNDP defines human development as expanding the choices for all people in society, i.e. the creation of an enabling environment in which all can enjoy long, healthy and creative lives.