ARTICLE: APGA National Chairman opine on “Building a Sustainable Government: Deepening Productive Governance and Greater Dividends of Democracy”

Written by Nduka Anyanwu

 The core purpose of any progressive political party is to advance the welfare of its people and secure their future. For the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), this mandate is not merely a slogan but the ideological foundation on which our "Onye Aghana Nwanne Ya" (Be your brother’s keeper) philosophy is built. 

Building a Sustainable Government: A Strong Wind for Productive Governance and Greater Dividends of Democracy as coined and viewed; - For any nation, true and lasting progress is not an accident. It is the deliberate result of building a sustainable system of governance—a strong wind that propels forward productive governance and delivers greater dividends of democracy to the populace. A sustainable government is one that can adapt to changing conditions, remain resilient in the face of challenges, and continuously improve the well-being of its citizens for generations to come.

The symbiotic relationship: Sustainability, productivity, and dividends

The connection between sustainable government, productive governance, and the dividends of democracy is symbiotic.

Sustainable government provides the essential foundation. It is a system built on principles of accountability, transparency, and the rule of law, which prevents structural and societal dislocations. Without this stable base, a government's efforts toward progress are temporary and vulnerable.

Productive governance is the engine of progress. It refers to the government's capacity to efficiently and effectively manage resources—both human and material—to deliver high-quality public services. It is the efficient functioning of government that turns resources into tangible results for citizens.

Dividends of democracy are the ultimate output. These are the tangible and intangible benefits that citizens receive, such as improved healthcare, quality education, robust infrastructure, and social justice. These dividends demonstrate the value of democratic governance and build public trust in the system.

A sustainable government, therefore, provides the framework and the stability for productive governance to thrive, which, in turn, generates the dividends that reinforce the legitimacy and longevity of the democratic system itself.

Pillars of a sustainable government

Building this robust system requires focusing on several key areas:

Strengthening Institutions: Robust and independent institutions are the bedrock of sustainable governance. This means strengthening the judiciary, law enforcement, anti-corruption bodies, and the civil service. The goal is to create institutions that are impartial, effective, and free from undue political influence.

Focus on SDG 16: The Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, which calls for "Peace, justice and strong institutions," is directly relevant here. Its targets include reducing corruption and bribery, developing accountable and transparent institutions, and ensuring equal access to justice for all.

Promoting Transparency and Accountability: These are non-negotiable for building public trust and curbing corruption, which is a major bottleneck to development. A sustainable government must:

Implement transparent budgeting and financial management. Ensure proactive disclosure of public information, making government data open and accessible.

Protect whistle-blowers who report financial malfeasance. Harnessing Technology for Productivity: The use of information and communication technologies (ICTs) is a potent tool for transforming governance and public service delivery. Digital transformation can:

Increase efficiency and reduce administrative burdens on public servants. Facilitate public engagement and participation in government processes. Improve service delivery, such as online registration for businesses and digital tax collection.

Engaging Citizens for Inclusive Governance: A sustainable government must be inclusive and participatory, ensuring that its policies are responsive to the needs and aspirations of all people.

Subsidiarity: Empowering local governments allows decisions to be made at the most effective level, where citizens can have a more direct impact.

Multi-stakeholder partnerships: Engaging civil society, non-profits, and the private sector in policy-making fosters shared responsibility and leverages diverse expertise.

Prioritizing Sustainable Economic and Social Policies: Beyond simply managing the economy, a sustainable government adopts policies that create long-term prosperity and social equity.

Strategic investments: Directing investment towards key areas like agriculture, infrastructure, healthcare, and education ensures broad-based development.

Social equity: Policies should actively work to reduce inequality and social exclusion, with a focus on supporting the most vulnerable populations.

THE CHALLENGES AHEAD AND THE PATH FORWARD

Developing a sustainable government is not without its challenges. These include entrenched corruption, political instability, and weak institutional capacity. The path forward requires a determined commitment from both the political establishment and the citizenry.

Political will: There must be unwavering political will to implement reforms and hold officials accountable, regardless of their political affiliation.

Continuous capacity building: Investment in training and development for civil servants is crucial for creating a professional and capable public sector workforce.

Public engagement and re-orientation: A conscious effort to educate the public on the importance of good governance and to foster a culture of civic responsibility is necessary.

By embracing these principles and strategies, a nation can build a government that is not only sustainable and productive but also one that consistently delivers the promised dividends of democracy, turning a strong wind of reform into a lasting change for good. 

Mr. Nduka Anyanwu, SA Media To The APGA National Chairman.