GOVERNANCE

What is Governance?
-governance refers to a process whereby elements in society wield power, authority and influence and enact policies and decisions
concerning public life and social upliftment.
-means the process of decision-making and the process by which decisions are implemented (or not implemented) through the
exercise of power or authority by leaders of the country and/or organizations.

CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD GOVERNANCE

(1) PARTICIPATION
- Participate by all genders , both men and women.
- Indirectly involved = Representative
- It is important to point out that representative democracy does not necessarily mean that the concern of the most
vulnerable in society would not be taken into consideration in decision making.
- needs to be informed and organized.
- freedom of association and expression on one hand and organized civil society on the other hand.
(2) RULE OF LAW
- requires fair legal frameworks that are enforced impartially.
- Impartial enforcement of laws requires an independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force.
(3) TRANSPARENCY
- information is freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions and their
enforcement.
- decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations.
- enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media.

(4) RESPONSIVENESS
- requires that institutions and processes try to serve the needs of all stakeholders within a reasonable timeframe.
(5) CONSENSUS ORIENTED
- mediation of the different interests
- Sustainable human development = long-term
- Consider all (history , culture and social contexts of a given society or community.
(6) EQUITY AND INCLUSIVENESS
- Ensures that all its members feel that they have a stake in it and dont feel excluded from the mainstream of society.
- all groups have opportunities to improve or maintain their well being.
(7) EFFECTIVENESS AND EFFICIENCY
- Effectiveness - based if your desired result/objective achieved
- Efficiency- based on the process if it has an easy process , less time, easy way, less effort, no waste.
- processes and institutions produce results that meet the needs of society while making the best use of resources at
their disposal.
- The concept of efficiency in the context of good governance also covers the sustainable use of natural resources and
the protection of the environment.
(8) ACCOUNTABILITY
- Accountable = Responsible
- In general, an organization or an institution is accountable to those who will be affected by its decisions or actions.
- Accountability cannot be enforced without transparency and the rule of law.