Local governments under pressure to promote development

Commonwealth local governments are under increasing pressure to promote development and improve the performance of public services.

“In Commonwealth countries, the pressure to adapt to change, improve performance and take the lead on local development poses new challenges to public sector executives and top management in local governments,” explained Jacqueline Wilson, Director of the Governance and Institutional Development Division (GIDD) at the Commonwealth Secretariat.

“This pressure is closely linked to the global agenda for poverty reduction and attainment of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).”

GIDD has organised a workshop on ‘Strengthening Decentralisation in Commonwealth Africa’ in collaboration with the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration.

The workshop taking place from 28 May to 1 June 2007 is designed for mayors, senior managers and officers of local government.

John Wilkins, Head of the Special Programme Section and adviser on public sector management in GIDD, stressed the important role played by local governments in delivering key services such as water, health care, education and housing -- as well as in meeting MDG targets at community level.

“There is a need to strengthen the capacity of local governments to provide minimum social services and to expand their role in local economic development and integrated development planning, in partnership with all stakeholders, to ensure that local priorities and service needs are met,” he said.

The programme is focusing on local government reforms in Africa to create greater value for money from existing limited financial resources available to local governments in the Commonwealth. Issues being covered include reducing corruption, developing local economies, partnerships with the private sector, entrepreneurship and management.

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