2014 an annus horribilis for governance, transparency and accountability

Last year around this time, we carried three consecutive articles entitled “Governance, Transparency and Accountability: Priorities for 2014”. We had stated that 2013 was not a particularly good one, especially as it relates to the situation in the National Assembly. The combined Opposition and the Government continued to wrestle for control, without the prospect of a breakthrough to work together in a genuine effort and in a spirit of compromise and goodwill to put nation’s interest ahead of partisan politics.

We did identify three positive developments in 2013, namely: (a) the appointment of an Ombudsman; (b) the cancellation of the memorandum of understanding for the construction of a solid waste recycling plant amid public pressure; and (c) the passing of four bills relating to local government, three of which