Transparency of governance (SDG 16): a factor for sustainable development in Africa
The transparency of governance is highlighted by Sustainable Development Goal 16 in the2030 agenda United Nations. (Read for more details on SDG 16)
This desired ideal is not far from the type of government proposed by the American engineer Howard Scott, founder of the technocratic movement. It would be based on the scientific adjustment of production to consumption with an economy using energy units for measurement and control, instead of monetary values.
“Transparency (of governance), however, should not be seen simply as an end in itself, but rather as a great way to achieve collective goals through greater moral strength. "
Mauricio Cárdenas Santamaría, former Colombian Minister of Finance and Public Credit
Governments must disclose the names of the companies to which they award public contracts. In this way, journalists, activists and politicians will be able to have their opinion on these markets and demand more sustainable purchases, more favorable to gender equality, and less prone to corruption. With the transparency of governance, those in power and officials who respect their reputation will be forced to be honest in their decision-making. It is as if the eyes of the people were on them.
Achieving this objective of transparent governance will be difficult but not impossible. Governments in Africa should create an online platform that would allow the population to access every expenditure item in the national budget at the program, sub-program and project level. In addition, another portal could be created to centralize government purchasing. In addition, another public platform aimed at governance transparency would provide universal access to electronic versions of public contracts. Citizens will now be able to check whether the government is getting good prices for every purchase they make, whether it is military uniforms, cars, an insurance policy or plane tickets.
Indeed, these requirements to make public what is done do not only reveal the prices of the contracts. These contain details on the quality of products, delivery time and payment methods. The companies that were not selected can later compare their bids with those that were chosen in order to adapt their future offers accordingly.
These proposals for transparent governance will help fight corruption. Activists and journalists can investigate possible misappropriation and waste. Members of government, the media and academia, we all have a responsibility to ensure that this desired greater transparency of governance and greater accountability becomes a reality in our dear countries already. Our African countries could thus reach the top of the table of the least corrupt countries. (Read for more details on the Corruption Perception Index)
Sacred article! Good governance is a sensitive subject. Not being an end in itself, its objective is even more appreciable. I believe that this should be a “way of life” that must be instilled in every citizen in everything. Already starting with rigor and self-discipline. The sooner we build good management and good habits in our daily lives, the more when we are in positions of responsibility, the probabilities for good governance and well-being will be high.
The new education must therefore return to civic and moral values that are capital in order to build disciplined men in love with a high sense of responsibility. It is also the responsibility of all citizens regardless of the level of leadership!