Ketumile Masire
6 October 2009
column
Lagos — With the launch of the 2009 Ibrahim Index of African Governance, we are reminded again of how strong the link is between governance and development in Africa. By looking broadly at what government provides and focusing on outcomes for citizens, the index tells both positive and negative stories across the continent.
Some may wonder why measuring governance in this way is necessary and ask what contribution it makes in improving people's lives on the ground. My experience as a school teacher tells me that if we do not grade ourselves we cannot possibly know where we need to improve. Just as parents and teachers look at report cards to encourage students to improve in different areas, so the Ibrahim Index provides a tool to encourage countries to make progress in governance.
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So how have African countries scored this year? Perhaps surprisingly, it is our brothers and sisters in Southern African who have the most to be proud of. While the countries of North Africa are traditionally seen as setting the lead for the rest of the continent, we have found that seven sub-Saharan nations rank above North Africa in the Index. Across a range of indicators including Sustainable Economic Opportunity, Safety and the Rule of Law, Participation and Human Rights as well as Human Development, Southern African countries like South Africa, Botswana and Namibia scored well.
These high scores are, of course, about more than doing well in a league table. They are about increased opportunities for citizens across Africa, with improvements in the ability to start a business, sign contracts and access high speed broadband. Add to that improved economic management at the national level and this is good news that should see real results in people's lives.
Unfortunately, just as not all students can be top of the class, nor are all countries in Africa leading in governance. Particularly in the areas of safety and the rule of law, too many countries scores are unimpressive. Even worse, the countries at the bottom of the index overall are particularly far behind average performance across the continent.
What is even more troubling to me, as someone who has been involved in mediating conflict in Central Africa, is the poor performance across that region. Central Africa ranked last overall compared to the rest of Africa and four Central African countries scored in the bottom 10. This is a part of Africa where the people are suffering because of lack of good governance. This cannot be left to continue unattended.
So there is much work still to be done. But I remain optimistic about the general direction the continent is taking. I am particularly heartened that through increased engagement of citizens and civil society in improving standards of governance, progress is being made. This determination of Africans to own their future will help speed up progress and prevent countries slipping back.
What is also clear is that there is room for improvement in the measuring of governance across the continent. There is a real lack of consistent data that undermines our ability to gauge the success of efforts, by both national governments and international development agencies, to improve lives and create new opportunities. It prevents, too, civil society pressing for increased efforts or changed strategy. The losers are the millions trapped in poverty. For if we don't know how we are performing how can we make aim to do better?
The consequence is that instead of a debate focused on results, we find one that is centred on inputs. We find heated discussions over how much the international community invested in food aid, debt forgiveness or health initiatives. We compare national governments spending on infrastructure compared to security. While these arguments and debates are important they tell us little about how this spending is improving people's lives on the ground or how governments are actually performing.
The Ibrahim Index turns this emphasis on its head. We measure outputs rather than inputs. We look far more broadly at the performance of governments than is usual. We draw together data on economic opportunity as well as political rights, personal security as well as transparency.
We understand that good governance is more than just about holding elections. It is what you do when you are in office that counts.
By taking ownership for the debate around governance, Africans are taking a huge step forward in ensuring our countries continue on a sustainable development path. We know we can't rely on the rich countries in the West or East to boost our economies or strengthen our societies. We must do that work ourselves.
Our continent is well and endowed with natural resources; we also have the ability to develop our human resources. We should however, be very alert and aware that our success in this endeavour largely if not entirely, depends on how we politically manage our affairs. The way we govern our nation-states and exploit our resources is of utmost importance. In essence, our success as Africans revolves around good governance. This latest Ibrahim Index helps show we are moving in the right direction.
Sir Ketumile is former President of Botswana and a Board Member of the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.
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President Masire's points are well-thought and, therefore accurate. Rather than reiterate the perfection, I would add that those leaders who share his governance values consider speeding the process. Every soul, every life that can be salvaged by adhering to and speeding up the process of good government is worth it.
This report is a treasure to the assesment of Africa. But,It also lacks the in-depth analysis of the leaders that preside over our nations. One such missing ingredient is, the lack of focus on the level of education achieved by those who govern us. The more they are educated, the better their governance. A
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