They Want to Silence Us: The Impact of Governance on Trade and Rural Development in Cameroon
One of the major obstacles to the "harmonious and favourable integration" of ACP countries in global trade is lack of governance. Contributing to global trade presupposes many requirements that several ACP countries can’t meet due to poor governance, observed both in these countries’ institutions (executive, parliament, and justice) and in international fora where global trade rules are defined.
Poor governance practices within national institutions include embezzlement, corruption, and a lack of adequate political vision and framework for trade development. Regarding international fora, governance problems are linked to a lack of transparency between parties and to the failure to respect commitments and regulations.
It is noteworthy to mention that there are numerous causes to the lack of governance preventing trade development in ACP countries. The lack of democracy, freedom, and respect for established rules constitute a major barrier to taking full advantage of trade liberalisation. In such a context, independent stakeholders who are not party to trade negotiations can play a key role in ensuring better citizen monitoring.
Political will to fight behaviours contrary to good governance principles cannot be imposed, and the lack of a development agenda based on a citizen vision and of clearly identified and respected priorities are the source of a highly detrimental lack of transparency.
Based on these seemingly insignificant events occurring in some ACP countries, this article exemplifies the impacts of poor governance on trade development.
By: Jacob Kotcho, Secretary General of the Citizens Association for the Defence of Collective Interests (ACDIC)
Link to: http://ictsd.net/i/news/tni/54817/
This web site is produced with the financial assistance of the European Union by Amici dei Popoli NGO in cooperation Cestas, CMO, Hegoa and Risc. The contents of this web site are the sole responsability of Amici dei Popoli NGO and can under no circumstances be regarded as reflecting the position of the European Union.