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| Title: | Consolidating accountability for development in Africa |
| Author: | Ghartey, James B. |
| Year: | 1986 |
| Issue: | 116 |
| Pages: | 15 |
| Language: | English |
| Series: | Working papers |
| City of publisher: | Boston, MA |
| Publisher: | African Studies Center, Boston University |
| Geographic term: | Africa |
| Subjects: | political stability public finance public accounting |
| Abstract: | Africa's recent history has been scarred by political violence and turbulence and extreme economic hardship. The main reasons that have been cited for the political and socioeconomic upheaval stem from inadequate accountability. Inadequate accountability manifests itself in inappropriate policies, abuse of power, fraud, corruption, oppression and violence, inefficiency, embezzlement, incompetence, and misappropriation. These factors lead to sluggish investment, unemployment, technological obsolescence, inflation, high taxation, austerities, and other socioeconomic hardships. Socioeconomic hardships undermine cohesive forces in the society and generate internecine strife and political instability. This paper synthesizes the accountability literature, defines the purpose of accountability, identifies leaders and public officers in developing countries as the critical group who have to account to the citizens and the general public, and proposes guidelines that could stimulate further discussion and action for the reform of accountability - to promote probity, dedicated service, and efficiency in the management of resources; and it encourages leaders and public officers in developing countries to portray appropriate humanitarian concerns in their environments. |