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Citizens Accountability

30. While accountability is an important feature of any government, we tend to pay more attention to the actions of government, and less to those of the population. Civil society has a large role to play in promoting good governance and holding governments, businesses, and citizens accountable for their actions. Likewise, businesses and individual citizens have important roles to play. There can be no sleeping bystanders.

31 A population cannot sit idly by and expect change. Accountability starts in the home of each individual. Each individual is responsible for his/her own actions.

32. Individuals must also take a participatory role in governance. They must be proactive in their involvement in government and their demands that government officials effectively guide the country while also abiding by the laws of the country. But participation cannot take place only on Election Day however important that is; participation must be a consistent part of everyday life. Citizens must know who their leaders are, what decisions their leaders are making, and whether these decisions are being implemented on the ground. Citizens must ask: Is Government doing its job, and is it doing it well? Do government programs work, and if so how well? Are government funds being spent wisely and effectively, and if not why not? That is one aspect. The next is to question any shortcoming detected and call for remedial action.

33. Monitoring government is a difficult job. Many individuals are unable or unwilling to constantly monitor government activities on their own. That is why it is important to have strong civic and civil society organizations. That has to be coupled with the existence of an independent and free press to assist the public in becoming better informed about government activities. Information is the key to understanding government policies, government priorities, and government spending practices. It provides the basis for assessing government performance. It is also the key to anti-corruption efforts. Information is clearly important, and civil society and the press offer the main public venues for obtaining information.

Civil Society

34. Civil society should play an integral role in the process of monitoring government and public activities. Civil organizations offer a wealth of information to the public and to government officials about specialized topics. These organizations can educate the population on what the government is or is not doing. They can also play a role in educating legislators on specific issues or providing insights into public needs and grievances. They can provide a focal point for the population to express its grievances to government as well as to commend those government officials who do their jobs well. They can build partnerships with government to assist in the implementation of legislation, the implementation of particular programs, or in public education regarding government activities. Civic societies must promote good practices by setting good examples for the population.

35Civil societies, under the protection of the law, should compliment the work of anti-corruption commission, by taking on the job of whistle-blowers regarding disclosures of illegality, abuse of authority, gross waste, gross mismanagement, substantial and specific danger to public health and safety. For a post-war country, Civil Societies should be the vanguard in making the government and non-governmental institutions accountable to the people. The danger here is if they become too partisan then they can endanger the whole concept of accountability.

The Press
36. The press offers an additional source of public information and check on government activity. In order for this to occur, there must be freedom of the press. Freedom of the press is important, but it is not an end in itself. The press bears a great responsibility in taking this freedom seriously. It must act responsibly by ensuring that information printed or broadcast is well-researched and accurate. The press must serve as an independent voice, without kowtowing to special interests or wealthy sponsors. It can serve as a check on government, as a tool for education, and as a voice for the population, but it can only do so when it does its job well by checking its facts and reporting responsibly. In other words it must not abuse its power of social influence.

37 It is unfortunate that in some emerging countries where there is press freedom, some of the print media misuse their chances by publishing unprintable and slanderous articles aimed at vilifying public servants rather than informing and educating their public factually so that those concerned could be called to account for their actions. Libel and slander are no true journalism and they do not build nations nor reconcile a country emerging from years of war. Indeed they eventually undermine the very essence of freedom of the press. I am aware sometimes survival for the individual press dictates the course of action. That is short sighted and can ruin democracy.

Conclusion

Mr. Chairman, Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

38. In a small, emerging and post-war country, a culture of responsibility and accountability is the hallmarks of grass-roots democracy acting in the best interest of all and sundry. In this address, I have tried to define for you the concept and types of accountability, I have also illustrated many of the challenges which nations face as regards accountability. What is most important in tackling these challenges is the will and determination of the people to build a democratic nation which will be guided by good governance, rule of law, due process, transparency and accountability.

39. In any democracy, the most important guarantee of public accountability is the right of the citizens to control the direction of governmental policy and the identity of those who exercise governmental powers, through the electoral process and public discourse.

40 Although Accountability has its limits by way of protecting national security or maintaining the confidentiality of diplomatic communications, it must be appreciated that cover-up or secrecy is the breeding ground for corruption while sunlight is the best disinfectant. No government, no matter how democratic or efficient can be effective for long if it is corrupt; if institutions or individuals lack integrity and are motivated by self-interest and private gain rather than the public good; and unless appropriate and effective punitive action is taken for demonstrated abuse of power, neither the rule of law nor accountability will reign. Accountability is a culture which has to be nurtured. Those in the know have the greatest responsibility in that regard. I hope through such seminars as this one you will resolve to build a culture of accountability.

I thank you.

THE END.