PUBLIC SECTOR REFORMS AND CONTEMPORARY REFORM CHALLENGES TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN AFRICA / Public Sector Reforms And Contemporary Reform Challenges To Sustainable Development In Africa

Abstract

Since the 1980s, African countries have been undertaking reforms in the public sector to establish effective and efficient public sector management and capacity. This is founded on the need to thrust Africa into sustainable growth through improved public management structures and good governance. These initiatives fall under global drive on sustainable development spearheaded by national governments and international organizations to achieve national and millennium development goals and, address challenges such as poverty, high unemployment rates and quality access to public services and goods. This paper examines the evolution of the African public sector reforms and the challenges that have hindered African states in their attempt to restructure the public sector. It argues that there is need for comprehensive adoption and implementation of organizational mechanisms such as privatization, contractual performance and decentralization as restorative measures in improving public service delivery through enhanced accountability and integrity in the public sector. Since the 1980s, African countries have been undertaking reforms in the public sector to establish effective and efficient public sector management and capacity. This is founded on the need to thrust Africa into sustainable growth through improved public management structures and good governance. These initiatives fall under global drive on sustainable development spearheaded by national governments and international organizations to achieve national and millennium development goals and, address challenges such as poverty, high unemployment rates and quality access to public services and goods. This paper examines the evolution of the African public sector reforms and the challenges that have hindered African states in their attempt to restructure the public sector. It argues that there is need for comprehensive adoption and implementation of organizational mechanisms such as privatization, contractual performance and decentralization as restorative measures in improving public service delivery through enhanced accountability and integrity in the public sector.