Local governance in Tanzania: Observations from six councils 2002-2003
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Date
2007
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Mkuki na Nyota Publishers Ltd
Abstract
Governance entails participation, transparency, efficiency and equity in the management of people
and their economy in a given country. Governance comprises the mechanisms, processes and
institutions, through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their legal rights, meet
their obligations and mediate their differences. Local governance refers to the way a local authority
fulfils its responsibilities towards the citizens in their areas of jurisdiction. It covers relationships
between local authority leaders and the citizens, as well as political parties and non-governmental
organisations, and the central government in all phases of formulating policies that affect people in
carrying out their daily activities.
In this study, several political and administrative dimensions of governance are discussed. First is
the issue of Local Government Autonomy. Here, an attempt was made to answer the question: To
what extent are the local authorities free to make political decisions within the Tanzanian polity? It is
recognised that the local government reforms has opened the way for multi-level planning systems
and new, non-hierarchical forms of inter-ministerial coordination. However, while the decentralisation
reform has set the stage for participatory local planning practices, it is by no means guaranteeing
them. Improved trust relations, citizens’ rights, reduced corruption, participation in local elections
and gender mainstreaming are important governance issues that are also discussed in this study.
Description
Full Text Report. Also available at: https://www.africaportal.org/publications/local-governance-in-tanzania-observations-from-six-councils-2002-2003/
Keywords
Local government autonomy, Local government reforms, Local authorities, Decentralisation, Local governance, Political decisions
Citation
Chaligha, A. E., & Kessy, A. (2007). Local governance in Tanzania: Observations from six councils 2002-2003. Report on poverty alleviation (Special Paper No. 07.22)