Prioritisation Role in the Development of Poor Countries

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Table of Contents

Introduction
Prioritising good governance
Decentralise bureaucracy
Privatise government businesses
Encourage business environment
Conclusion

Introduction

What must we do to provide development for poor countries? The topic here is a question of prioritisation of appropriate programs to be implemented to enhance development in poor countries. Prioritisation means focusing on appropriate programs and the most significant poverty alleviation measures to enhance development for poor countries. The people involved are government managers, the private sector and the citisenry. The topic is also about appropriate actions and moves to straighten out government programs.

The state is challenged by its ability to control the external environment and to force its power on society, because citisens are becoming too independent, refusing to pay taxes, and the state’s prevalent position is unclear. The state therefore has to improve its position so that it can impose programs to alleviate poverty and push for growth and development.

Can the state do it alone? We need a team here. The government, the private sector and the people in general must work like a team. What are they going to do? Like they say, “first things first”. Prioritisation is of utmost importance.

Prioritising good governance

Government must show credibility by providing good governance. Challenges have to be met because good governance, which is an immediate prerequisite for development, is difficult to achieve if the barriers in its implementation are not removed. Most government managers are inexperienced, the bureaucracy is mired in corruption and the employees and the private sector cannot bring their actions together.

Good governance is an endemic problem in poor countries; even rich countries encounter this sort of problem. The problem of good governance is multi-faceted as it includes lack of financial resources which can lead to corruption, lack of funds for important projects which can lead to low morale, and inexperience of personnel in the art of governance. Good governance is a goal but can also be a means to an end. Good governance needs public-private partnership or public participation and reforms. Civil society must act as the voice.

Decentralise bureaucracy

Delegation of powers or decentralisation can bring together many of the long-term goals of the national government. Government must delegate simple tasks and services directly needed by the people to local government units. Some states create autonomous regions to simplify government services and solve endemic corruption.

A bloated bureaucracy must decentralise because the government cannot reach its constituents in far-flung areas. A centralised government is a problem creator; it creates more problems than solutions. By devolving functions of national agencies and delegating powers to the local government units, good governance becomes a reality. Local agencies are able to help, provide solutions to problems and help in the implementation of national plans and projects.

Corruption can also be easily addressed with a decentralised government. Local government units such as provincial, municipal or city governments are effective implementers of government programs because they are directly in touch with the grassroots, e.g. the people who really need help and the nongovernmental organisations which are also helping the disadvantaged and victims of social inequality.

The Philippine experience is a good example. Before this country achieved a level of success, it had to meet the challenges of good governance such as endemic corruption which has been ingrained in the minds of government managers and employees. Good governance needs political will to implement. This was shown in the Filipino experience that a transformational leader can lead the nation despite poverty and indifference of other political leaders. (YouTube)

Before South Africa achieved development, the evils of apartheid had to be fought and now this nation is leading other nations in many aspects of growth and development (NPR).

On the other hand, Nigeria is experiencing difficulties in attracting medical workers to help fight the Ebola virus because the government has not paid the medical workers (Lecture notes). Corruption is a hindrance to development and good governance, and it also shuns foreign investors. Government, civil society and the private sector must join hands in fighting corruption because this runs counter to growth and development.

Prevention is one way of fighting corruption, for example using tools to help identify weaknesses and loopholes in government service. Financial management, promoting employee promotions, and providing important legislation for good governance are some of the tools to prevent corruption. Awareness of the issues and vigilance among the citisenry will also help. We must focus on the root causes of corruption like poverty, political patronage, and so on (lecture notes).

Privatise government businesses

Government should get rid of being a “businessman” rather than administrator or manager. This means government-owned-and-controlled corporations should be privatised and should be managed by private corporations. The private sector should be the originator of growth and development, whereas the government should only be the motivator and manager. Privatisation and deregulation can enhance private sector participation. Government should stop being in the “lead role” and let expert businessmen do their job. (lecture notes)

Encourage business environment

The state has to create jobs and sustainable livelihoods, invite investors, encourage private participation, and motivate businesses and investments to thrive in their areas to enhance growth and development. Developed countries can provide support in the form of technical and financial aid, but this should be on a limited basis only to discourage mendicancy among developing countries. Growth and development should lead to achieving other medium development goals (MDG), such as providing primary education, promotion of gender equality, environmental sustainability, and so on. Public administration reforms must motivate competitiveness, enhance sustainable development and aim for good governance.

Developing countries find it hard to catch up with growth and development. The fifties up to the seventies were years in which the countries affected by World War II had difficulty in uplifting the quality of life of their people. Some countries have freed themselves from poverty but others lagged behind.

Can we totally eradicate poverty? Certainly, poverty is easy to deal with if we have political will. Poverty is synonymous with inequality or injustice. Inequality and violation of human rights invite conflicts and rebellion. What happens is a chain of conflicting events that can lead to more miseries and suffering for the people. Equal opportunity for all regardless of race and economic status must be a goal of governments of developing countries.

Conclusion

Prioritisation is just like simplifying the tasks needed for reforms in government so that appropriate measures are undertaken. If we do not prioritise, reforms cannot be effectively managed. In the discussion, we talked on the problems and challenges of prioritisation which is important in developing countries’ growth and development. We put poverty as the last priority because this is the ultimate goal. All the rest are tools for development but are as significant.

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