Local government and good governance: The case of Samoa

Desmond Uelese Amosa

doi:10.5130/cjlg.v0i7.1891

Abstract

Samoa is one of the many small developing countries that are now joining the international call to strengthen local government in a global effort to advance this institution as a recognized force for positive development, especially with respect to the achievement of Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). Part of the process includes the introduction of good governance practices through capacity building in order for local government to become proficient in managing resources and to be efficient and effective in service delivery. Accountability and transparency are central to the capacity building process. This paper finds that these central principles of good governance are neither novel nor foreign to the cultural and social practices of local government in Samoa. Hence, it is argued that any attempt to build the capacity of local government in Samoa should involve enhancing and embracing those established cultural measures that underpin accountability and transparency

Highlights

Good governance in the form of greater accountability and transparency at the local government level has been in the spotlight in recent years
Several initiatives have been undertaken in recent years to slowly build and strengthen the capacity of local government in the country, including a capacity building program funded through the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), and a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) that is currently underway
Promoting new forms of governance at the local level is a very sensitive issue, when proposed ideas or changes to local governance are seen to impact upon the council’s authority in controlling village affairs. It should be made clear from the outset that this paper does not attempt to evaluate the current CLGF-UNDP capacity building project, nor does it suggest that this project fails to recognize the traditional governance structure of local government in Samoa

Summary

Introduction

Good governance in the form of greater accountability and transparency at the local government level has been in the spotlight in recent years. Several initiatives have been undertaken in recent years to slowly build and strengthen the capacity of local government in the country, including a capacity building program funded through the Commonwealth Local Government Forum (CLGF), and a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) that is currently underway Central to this program is the effort to introduce good governance principles of accountability and transparency to ensure proper decision-making at the local level when resources are provided by central government. Promoting new forms of governance at the local level is a very sensitive issue, when proposed ideas or changes to local governance are seen to impact upon the council’s authority in controlling village affairs It should be made clear from the outset that this paper does not attempt to evaluate the current CLGF-UNDP capacity building project, nor does it suggest that this project fails to recognize the traditional governance structure of local government in Samoa. At present DIRD is working closely with partner agencies including CLGF and UNDP in strengthening capacity for decision-making in local government

Social structure of local government

Conclusion