BY STAFF REPORTER
“In a country well governed, poverty is something to be ashamed of. In a country badly governed, wealth is something to be ashamed of” This is a famous and very articulate saying by the ancient and renowned Chinese sage Confucius. It demonstrates that the quest for good governance has been at the heart of all political issues since ancient times.
Such issue has passed through the ages and reached to the present times with all its weight as a burning and priority issue of all. It still thrives to be a central point by all political, economic actors in the world. If no good governance, nothing could be said to be fine. That is why many international political, financial and economic organizations put their definition, framing and principles for it.
The OHCHR states that while there is no internationally agreed definition of ‘good governance’, it may span the following topics: full respect of human rights, the rule of law, effective participation, multi-actor partnerships, political pluralism, transparent and accountable processes and institutions, an efficient and effective public sector, legitimacy, access to knowledge, information and education, political empowerment of people, equity, sustainability, and attitudes and values that foster responsibility, solidarity and tolerance.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) also states that Governance is a broad concept covering all aspects of how a country is governed, including its economic policies, regulatory framework, and adherence to rule of law. Poor governance offers greater incentives and more opportunities for corruption—the abuse of public office for private gain. Corruption undermines the public’s trust in its government. It also threatens market integrity, distorts competition, and endangers economic development.
While the issue of ensuring good governance could be an agenda for every nation in the world, it is of the highest concern for developing countries especially Africa. The continental umbrella, African Union (AU) also takes measures in ensuring good governance in the continent through The African Governance Architecture (AGA) is inspired by the Constitutive Act of the African Union (AU) that expresses the AU’s determination to ‘promote and protect human and people’s rights, consolidate democratic institutions and culture and ensure good governance and the rule of law’.
Mohamed Ibn Chambas, the African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns campaign, has emphasized the vital role of good governance in achieving sustainable development and transformation across Africa.
Speaking at the 2023 Adebayo Adedeji Lecture on the theme of “Governance, Social Contract, and Economic Development in Africa: Looking Back, Projecting into the future” during the ECA Conference of Ministers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Mr. Chambas stated that without good governance, development in Africa is dead on arrival.”
Mr. Chambas highlighted the significance of transparent, accountable, and responsive governments in Africa that play a crucial role in unlocking the continent’s potential for investment and sustainable growth. He emphasized the importance of social contracts between governments and citizens, which is vital for fostering trust and promoting social cohesion. Collaboration between governments, civil society organizations and the private sector is also crucial to achieving the common goal of good governance.
“Governance is central to the development and transformation of the continent,” Mr. Chambas told participants, adding that, “To fix the continent, we must first and foremost, fix the governance challenges.”
He stressed that African leaders must build transparent and accountable governments and drive sustainable economic growth and development. “Africa has been found wanting in terms of promoting good governance, Mr. Chambas noted, citing a wave of coups d’état against the independence era political leaders and increased unconstitutional changes in government across Africa.
He admitted that Africa had “not been able to silence the guns as planned” pointing to current conflicts in the Lake Chad Basin, the Sahel, the Great Lakes Region and the Horn of Africa.
Calling for the establishment and respect of political term limits especially of presidential tenure in office in African countries, Mr. Chambas said women and youth should be given voice, power and space in the governance of their countries.
A united Africa is our best chance to weather the storms and create a prosperous Africa for the future, he said, calling for the facilitation of the free movement of persons, goods and services in accompanying the pan-African initiative of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“Effective governance and a strong social contract are critical to the successful implementation of the AfCFTA,” said Mr. Chambas, adding that by creating an enabling business environment and social inclusion governments can facilitate trade, promote economic development and social stability in Africa.
The ECA launched the Adebayo Adedeji Lecture in March 2014 to honour and recognize the late Adebayo Adedeji for his intellectual and policy contributions to African development. Mr. Adedeji served as Executive Secretary of ECA from 1975 to 1991 and contributed to development thinking, policy and practice in Africa.
Editor’s Note: The views entertained in this article do not necessarily reflect the stance of The Ethiopian Herald
The Ethiopian Herald March 26/2023
