There is better environment for checks and balances in Africa - Report
From: Lydia Asamoah, GNA Special correspondent, Addis Ababa
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, Oct. 21, GNA - Recent reforms in Africa have created a better environment for checks and balances and the general oversight of the executive arm of government in many countries, the African Governance Report II (AGRII) has revealed.
The Report released recently by the UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), said many African countries had reviewed and rewritten their constitutions over the past two decades.
It said those countries have also adopted appropriate structures like the legislature and judiciary and introduced new institutions, such as ombudsperson, human rights commissions, anti-corruption agencies and civil society organisations to ensure separation of powers and an accountable executive.
Copies of the report were made available to the media on at the on-going International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD+15) being held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on Wednesday.
The report, which was published in conjunction with the Oxford University Press, stated that the legislative organ, for instance, successfully handled its task in Botswana, Cape Verde, Malawi and Mauritius.
The Kenyan National Human Rights Commission exposed extra judicial execution by the police in 2007 while the role of non-state actors, the media, civil society organisations and private sector, had also been pivotal in exposing abuse of power by the executive.
Giving the improvements observed, the report concludes that the so-called phenomenon of the "Big Man" - untouchable and omnipotent - was fading.
Nonetheless, the report reveals that executive dominance still persisted in most African countries.
According to the report, although watchdog institutions had mushroomed in recent years, they in most cases lacked adequate resources and expertise to perform their functions effectively.
In that regard, the report made a clear distinction between constitutional prescriptions and the realities on the ground.
It stated that despite the constitutional guarantee for an independent judiciary, the perception was prevalent that judges often tended to be sensitive to the interest of the executive branch of government because of the political consideration of their appointments.
The report strongly advocated peoples' empowerment as the most effective check on state power.
"Empowered people are likely to call to account those in authority and ensure that institutions, principles and processes materialize and the separation is observed."
The AGR II assesses and monitors progress African countries were making on issues, identifies gaps and makes policy recommendations on improving governance on the continent.
GNA