The concept of governance is as old as human development. It is a concept that has increasingly attracted international attention. Ikpi (1997) view the notion of governance as, “the total ability to organize, synthesize and direct the various actions of the working parts of government machinery in order to form such a government to perform meaningfully, creditably and acceptably” (p.19). He argues further that
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governance can be examined and analyzed from six stand points which include: The initiation and maintenance of rapid socio-economic growths; the establishment and development of a free market; the establishment of basic organizational framework to act as springboard for further development; the creation of an absorptive capacity for capital and other inputs; the organization and promotion of private sector investment; the conscious raising of productivity of the people by improving their skills; enterprise, initiative, adaptability and attitudes.
Ikpi’s understanding simply suggests a conscious mobilization, management and utilization of societal resources to generate public goods for the common benefit of all within the ideological framework of capitalism. In a similar development, Akpotor (2001) views governance as “a normative judgment which indicates a preferred relation that would ideally govern relations between state and society and between a government and people” (p.13). Akpotor’s conception of governance incorporates critical elements such as accountability based on the notion of public choice and popular sovereignty; a carefully articulated legal framework that guarantees and sustains rule of law and due process; and popular participation in decision making based on political and social pluralism.
Considering the above definitions, governance can, broadly speaking, be comprehended to mean the astute and prudent management of power towards achieving the collectively articulated goals of the society. Governance according to UNDP as quoted by Shaminja (2010) “is the exercise of economic, political and administrative authority to manage a country’s affairs at all levels” (p.66). He further states that; “it comprises mechanisms, process and institutions through which citizens and groups
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articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet their obligations and mediate on their differences” (p.66). Also in the words of Elaigwu (2009):
The nature of governance depends on the form of political regime, the process by which authority is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources for development and the capacity of government to design, formulate and implement policies and discharge functions. (p.8).
In this context, governance is said to be good when those who have the authority of the state makes efforts to achieve the goals or the aims of the state that is, the maintenance of law and order; the provision of welfare for its citizens and the pursuit of national interest in the global arena. According to
For Okechukwu and Duru (2012), governance refers “to rulership, administration and management of a society or system. It involves the act of making law, implementing them and effective handling of the outcomes”. (p.136). In this understanding governance is term good where there is an effective and efficient management of the state resources (human and materials) for the good of all members of the society. From the above definitions we can see that governance is a phenomenon determined by the phrase “good”
and “bad”. In essence, if there is good governance, there should also be bad governance (Onwuekwe and Nwosu 2012). If governance is understood to mean the way and manner power is exercised in the management of a country’s economic and social resources to foster equitable development in society, then it must be the prefix “Good” (p.502). To Afekhena (2004) “governance provides a broad framework through which citizens seek to pursue the legitimate developmental aspirations”. This broad framework could be
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constructed using the normative principles of trust, accountability, reciprocity and authority” (p. 206).
This could undermine effective governance critically needed to foster sustainable development in the society. Sharma, Sadana and Kaur (2012) states that:
The concept of governance transcends beyond the state to incorporate within itself the civil society organizations. Governance from this point of view means the sum of the ways in which individuals and institutions (public and private) manage their common affairs. (p.5).
This agrees with Iwuoha (2012), in line with the commission on Global governance that maintained that:
The sum of the many ways individuals and institution, public and private sectors, manage their common affairs. It is a continuing process through which conflict or diverse interest may be accommodated and cooperative action may be taken. It includes formal institutions and regimes empowered to enforce compliance, as well as informal arrangements that people and institutions either have agreed on or perceived to be in their interest. (p.80).
He further states that “good governance according to the office of public sector reform has about eight major characteristics namely; It is participatory, consensus oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective and efficient, equitable and inclusive and follows the rule of law”. (p.86). Each of these points will be briefly expounded.
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Participation in this context implies that the needs and aspirations of all segments of the society including the vulnerable elements are adequately and equitably catered for in the society. That is to mean, good governance provides a comprehensive framework for active participation in public affairs. Mohammed (2008) avers that “good governance should deliberately seek to target vulnerable group like children, women, youths and handicaps through affirmative action for special access to socio-economic opportunities that could empower them” (p.3). In essence, opportunities in the society must be equitably distributed so as to ensure fair representation of all interests in the enterprise of governance. This is the only way that the domination of government by some interests group to the exclusion of others would be avoided.
Accountability
Diamond (2004) states that, “for public officials to be accountable, they have to advance explanations for their actions or inactions so that the public knows exactly what power as fiduciary resources is being expended for” (p.224). Iwuoha (2012) also states that “accountability is a key requirement of good governance not only governmental institutions but also the private sector and civil society organizations must be accountable to the public and to their institutional stakeholders” (p.87). This is to say that, for governance to be characterized as good it must be accountable and accountability in this context implies the answerability of public officials for their conduct to the public.
Accountability seeks to uproot the culture of impunity associated with corrupt behaviour in public life. Gambo (n.d) believes that, “when the culture of accountability is deeply entrenched, it promotes good sense of prudence and behavior that conforms to the
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prescribed norms in public affairs” (p.7). This is true because, Diamond (2004) believes that governing agents are likely to be more responsible when they are answerable for their behavior and can impose sanctions upon them. However, ineffective principles of accountability breed widespread behavior with impunity and this erode the basis of trust which is critical to the promotion of culture of good governance in the society.
Rule of Law
According to Sharma, Sadana and Kaur (2012). “A fair framework that is enforced in an impartial manner for protecting human rights, securing social justice and checking abuse of power is a prerequisite of good governance” (p. 90). The principle of the rule of law implies that laws must be applied equally to both the mighty and the weak in the society. The rich and the poor, the weak and the powerful are all within the operation of one in the society. The independency of the judiciary is a fundamental requirement for the effective observance of the principle of the rule of law in any democratic political system. Iwuoha (2012) also point to this fact when he states that,
“impartial enforcement of laws requires independent judiciary and an impartial and incorruptible police force” (p.87). It must also be noted that, all actors, public and private must have confidence that those rules will be observed and that all social elements must be guided by the same law and none should claim exception to rules legitimately formulated to govern behavior.
Transparency
One of the major premises of good governance is the citizens’ access to information, and good governance must ensure free flow of information to citizens. The principle of transparency simply means openness in the conduct of governmental
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business to the escorting of other governmental actors and the public at large. A transparent government always operates within the ambit of the law and seeks to avoid arbitrariness in the conduct of public affairs.
Effectiveness and Efficiency
Government is effective and efficient when it has all its agencies sufficiently equipped to discharge the legitimate functions of government to generate a condition where citizens would radiate with happiness and contentment. An effective and efficient government is sensitive to the needs of its citizens and ever ready to provide such needs in a timely manner in order to retain their trust and confidence. The effectiveness and efficiency is seen in services such as regular supply of potable water electric power supply, provision of security, construction of good road network, health care facilities, education for all, and so on.
Responsiveness
Jega (2007) believes that, “a responsive government attaches considerable importance to public opinion in the determination of issues”. (p.8). That is to explain that, the principle of responsiveness presupposes that government is swift, sensitive and empathetic in coming to the aid of distressed citizens such as in crisis situation. It also means that government is forthcoming in meeting legitimate demands and needs of citizens. The mutual obligation that exists between government and citizens can only be sustained when government had developed enough capacity to respond to its citizen by way of effective social provisioning and prompt delivery of critical goods and services.
A government characterized by weak responsive capacity can hardly hold the society
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cohesive as citizens would continue to express legitimate grievances deeply rooted in unmet needs.
Consensus oriented
Good governance should aim at reaching broad consensus after mediating different interests in the society for the best interest of the community. It aims at sustainable human development and aims to achieve the goals of such development.
Inclusiveness and Equity
Another important characteristic of good governance is that people should not be excluded from the mainstream of the society and the marginalized are able to avail opportunities.
All these defining indicators of good governance when effectively aggregated could create conducive environment for meaningful development to take place in society. In the words of Diamond (2004) “a good combination of these could breed sufficient social capital in the form of thriving associations that draw people together in relation to trust and voluntary cooperation for common ends” (p.223). Citizens sharing common aspirations and expectations would naturally coalesce around common goals thereby generating the necessary condition for effective unity.