Parliament Responsible For NEPAD’s Success

Sep 10, 2002

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has been described as an ambitious attempt by African leaders to rid the continent of the poverty that has afflicted it for decades.

The New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) has been described as an ambitious attempt by African leaders to rid the continent of the poverty that has afflicted it for decades.
NEPAD’s main objectives include accelerating the eradication of poverty and inequality in Africa; placing African countries on a path of sustainable growth and development; halting the marginalisation of Africa in the globalisation process and promoting the empowerment and economic integration of women. Thus, NEPAD highlights fundamental issues which, if addressed, could move our society from under development to development.
NEPAD critiques are concerned that it may come to nothing. However, unlike past development initiatives, international response to the NEPAD initiative has been positive. As a result, this has given hope that industrialised countries will support NEPAD more concretely than ever before.
Other critiques argue that there has been no consultation with Africans on NEPAD, without whose participation there can be no real partnership and no real development. But Parliament can ensure that NEPAD has the input of civil society and the private sector through, for example, organising public meetings.
The above criticisms notwithstanding, it is essential that the Ugandan Parliament is in the forefront of efforts to see that NEPAD is a success. Its oversight role and prerogative to approve resources for Government’s activities place it in a special position to spearhead the country’s active engagement in NEPAD.
Parliament can take a robust stance and demand from the Government that peace and democratic governance characterise its transaction of national business. It is Parliament’s prerogative to keep pressure on the Government so that the latter works more effectively, efficiently and openly.
Parliament must also continuously oversee Government’s readiness, efforts and progress in promoting and implementing NEPAD provisions. It has committees that handle matters such as foreign affairs, trade, agriculture, health, education and works. These committees should constitute a parliamentary forum to play the oversight role to great effect.
The global political and economic landscape has changed dramatically. International financial institutions realise that domestic oversight of Government actions is crucial in the fight against poverty, and that Parliament is the crucial institution to carry out this role. For Parliament to be a force in this function, it should be familiar with NEPAD as well as national and international development issues and processes that impinge on development. Also Parliament needs improved institutional capacities. Currently, the existing infrastructure is broadly limited although major improvements have been recorded since the 6th Parliament. Steps should, therefore, be taken to give Parliament the ability to sustain MPs’ interventions, bring significant independent expertise to bear, and exercise effective leverage in their oversight activities.
Dr. Nsaba Buturo, MP (Chairman, Presidential and Foreign Affairs Committee)
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