Chapter 8: Transparent and Accountable Governance

Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA), 2010-2013 Final Draft – September 7, 2010 Joint Presentation by Dr. Robert Dodoo (Former Head of the Civil Service, Chair of the Civil Service Council, NDPC Commissioner) and Mr. Ian Myles (Head of Cooperation and CIDA Program Director, Canadian High Commission) September 23, 2010 1

Part I

Overview: governance objectives, major considerations, and critical elements to move forward 2

Broad Objectives

   Empower state and non-state bodies to participate effectively in the National Development Process Ensure that Political, Economic and Administrative authority is exercised in a transparent and accountable manner Ensure that public resources are managed effectively and with integrity 3

Major Considerations

     Progress on governance is key for all sectors to reach their potential Governance agenda will become more urgent in the context of oil and gas revenue Governance agenda includes a number of complex and multifaceted issues Requires collaboration and commitment from a broad range of actors, including civil society Cross-cutting issues 4

Other Considerations

      Input from Line Ministries and other stakeholder institutions Cross-cutting Sector Policies (e.g. PSR, Decentralization) Constitutional Review process Proceedings of the National Governance Roundtable Comments received from DPs Review by Commissioners 5

Focus Areas (15)

       Democracy and institutional reform Local governance and decentralization Special development areas Public policy management Public sector reform Development communication Women’s empowerment 6

Focus Areas (15) – cont.

        Corruption and economic crimes Rule of law and justice Public safety and security Access to rights and entitlement National culture for development International Relations Evidence-based decision making Managing migration 7

In addition to the 15 focus areas…

     239 key issues 61 policy objectives 302 response strategies Cross-cutting response strategies Various implementing partners (See MTNDPF Matrix, pp. 243-268) 8

Critical elements to move forward in all focus areas

        Enhance access and participation Clarify mandates, roles and relationships and ensure coordination Move forward with development and implementation of enabling legislation and policy frameworks Strengthen capacity of institutions and personnel Enhance communication and awareness Address resource issues and disparities New Approach to Public Sector Reform Role of NDPC 9

Part II

Working Together: Key areas for cooperation 10

Identifying the areas for action  Under each of the critical elements, some specific areas for action have been highlighted through sector level policy dialogue  These are drawn from the Working Groups for:  Governance    Decentralization Public Sector Reform Gender Equality 11

Working Together: Enhance access and participation     Active measures to enhance civil society participation in governance – e.g. communication, resources, networking Access to justice for all: improved collaboration, strengthened Alternative Dispute Resolution, legal aid, criminal justice reform Enactment and full implementation of Right to Information Bill Ongoing efforts to enhance women’s political participation and address discrimination 12

Working Together: Clarify mandates, roles and relationships and ensure coordination     Under the New Approach to Public Sector Reform, coordinate reforms required for effective implementation of the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda overall, and sector strategies Improve coordination and collaboration across governance institutions (i.e. Parliament, Judiciary, Executive, Independent Governance Institutions) Move ahead with Interministerial Coordinating Committee on Decentralization and clarify roles of Local Government Ministry, Local Government Service, district and sub-district bodies Strengthen mandates, roles and coordination towards women’s equality 13

Working Together: Development and implementation of legislation and policy frameworks      Enactment of Transition Bill and implementation of holistic transition reform before 2012 elections Adoption and roll-out of National Anticorruption Action Plan and transition of Serious Fraud Office to Economic and Organized Crime Office Continued electoral reforms, e.g. biometric voters’ registration, media accountability during elections Implementation of Local Government Service Act and National Decentralization Policy and Plan, including transfer of staff Implementation of National Plan of Action on Domestic Violence 14

Working Together: Strengthening capacity of institutions and personnel    Strengthening capacity for governance institutions and Parliament to perform respective mandates Strengthening capacity for institutions to systematically advance Gender Equality Strengthening capacity for civil and public servants:    in policy, planning, monitoring and evaluation skills needed for middle income economy in public financial management, local economic planning, responsive service delivery in decentralized context in strategic Human Resources planning and management (e.g. performance) 15

Working Together: Enhance communication and awareness    Increased awareness and understanding of rights and responsibilities through broad-based civic education Review and strengthen awareness campaign on laws and practices regarding women’s rights Collect and disseminate information on budgets and service standards for transparency at all levels of government 16

Working Together: Address resource issues and disparities  Ensure that governance institutions can perform their mandates and functions effectively through adequate resourcing at national and local levels for:  Parliament, Judicial, Executive     Independent Governance Institutions Development Planning Monitoring & Evaluation Public information and communication 17

Final thoughts

 New Approach to Public Sector Reform  Role of the NDPC 18