1st Edition
African Parliamentary Reform
Some of the most far-reaching and innovative parliamentary reform is occurring in Africa. While these reforms are not yet widespread across the continent, parliaments in some African countries are asserting their independence as policymakers, as overseers of government and as the guardian of citizens’ rights and needs.
African Parliamentary Reform presents recent reforms in selected African parliaments – Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also presents cross-cutting innovations by African parliaments – in fighting corruption, in providing development to constituents and in combatting climate change. Many of the chapters are authored by African MPs.
The book will be of interest to students and scholars of African Politics, and to those international institutions that support parliamentary development.
African Parliamentary Reform is a joint initiative by the World Bank Institute, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Parliamentary Centre (Africa).
Foreword - Hon. William Shija 1. Introduction - Rick Stapenhurst & RasheedDraman 2. Engaging Civil Society – Ghana’s First PAC Hearing - Hon. Sallas Mensah 3. Enhancing Research & Information – Uganda’s Parliamentary Budget Office - Hon. Beatrice Kiraso 4. Promoting Gender Equality in the Tanzanian Parliament - Hon. Anna Makinda 5. Peace-building and National Reconciliation – the Role of the Rwandan Parliament - Sen. Joseph Kamerera 6. Reaching Out to Citizens – Enhancing the Opportunity for Private Members Bills & Constituency Offices in Zambia - Hon. Lubinda 7. Promoting Parliamentary Reforms in Kenya – We Have Come a Long Way - Hon. Peter Oloo Aringo 8. Benin; Citizen Participation in the Budget Debate via the Budget Committee (A Note) - Parliamentary Centre Staff 9. Strengthening Financial Accountability & Parliamentary Oversight in Ethiopia - Hon. Mesfin Mengistu 10. Rebuilding Parliament in a Conflict Affected Country – Interview with Senator Franklin Siakor (Liberia) - Sen. Franklin Siakor 11. Changing Standing Orders in Tanzania - Hon. Willibrod Slaa 12. The Parliamentary PACs in Nigerian States: Structure, Working Practices and Networking - Ben Ekeyi 13. Role Model for the World: The Formation of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption - Hon. Lubinda 14. Providing Services to the Community- Constituency Development Funds - Rasheed Draman and Mark Baskin 15. Climate Change –Establishing a Continental Parliamentary Task Force - Hon. David Ebong 16. Strengthening Public Accounts Committees Through Regional Networks Across Africa - Hon. John Cheyo 17. The Role of Parliamentarians in the Governance of Petroleum Resources - AbdulKarim Mohammed 18. Conclusions - Andrew Imlach Afterword - Obiageli "Oby" Ezekwesili
Biography
Rick Stapenhurst, The World Bank. Rasheed Draman, The Parliamentary Centre. Andrew Imlach, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Cindy Kroon, The World Bank.
