November 5, 2015
According to the United Nations Development Programme definition, governance is the "exercise of power or authority to manage a country's resources and affairs. It comprises mechanisms, processes and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their rights and obligations, and mediate their difference". Therefore, good governance emphasises values such as citizens' participation and representation; government's accountability, effectiveness in formulation and implementation of sound policies, transparency, responsiveness and respect for the rule of law.
Africa, though rich in human and natural resources, has been leading in bad governance and political instability index amongst the world's continents due to dictatorship, absence of a true democratic process, and corruption. Sadly, this has led to a hampering of economic growth, and people living in perpetual fear and discontent.
To ensure good governance and political stability in Africa, first and foremost there needs to be a change of Africa's conception of governance. In a society where being in government is seen as a means of acquiring personal wealth and unlimited power, the values of good governance will be trampled upon and, consequently, political instability will ensue. Africans should understand that governance is a means of boosting the society's prosperity and sovereignty instead, then all the unreasonable struggle, which most times is bloody, for power that has often times resulted in dictatorship will fade away. A programme should be designed for a massive education and reorientation in schools, on the streets and across all forms of media for the masses and all current and aspiring politicians, on what governance truly entails.
Secondly, an institution needs to be set up to check corruption in government, since corruption is the leading cause of bad governance. The sphere of the institution's operations should encompass the whole aspect of government: election, and execution of government's duties. This body must have constitutional effronteries to confront any government activities or representatives at all arms and levels of government it considers questionable, and take appropriate legal action against them when necessary, and to do all these without intimidation. This will ensure that proper governmental processes are duly followed. In the same vein, African governments should run a transparent system of government, as this will also save resources, including time and money, expended in the course of the institution's investigation and litigation.
When all these measures and more are effectively taken, the populace, no more dissatisfied or living in fear, will embrace peace and harmony, thus ensuring political stability. This will lead to a boost in the economy and the development of the continent. Africa will then become politically stable, developed and the true Eden of the world she was created to be. But when will this be?
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