Nurturing good governance is essential for the growth and socio-economic development of any country.
However, in order to ensure good governance, there must be transparency in the way and manner our pubic officials take decisions, and act on behalf of the people.
This requires consultation and participation of the people in deciding how matters relating to the citizens’ affairs are being handled.
It, therefore, means that decisions taken and their enforcement are done in a manner that follows rules and regulations, and are in conformity with our national laws such as the constitution.
On the other hand, in order to foster good governance in the country, there is an absolute necessity to have a free flow information, which should also be freely available and directly accessible to those who will be affected by such decisions, and their enforcement either directly or indirectly.
Fostering good governance is very significant for the well-being of all citizens, and it also means that enough information is provided and that it is provided in easily understandable forms and media.
Of course, the involvement and effective participation by both men and women including those directly affected by the policies and development frameworks is a key cornerstone of good governance.
It is important to point out that representative democracy does necessarily mean that the concerns of all, including the most vulnerable in society, would be taken into consideration in decision making.
It has been said that bad governance is being increasingly regarded as one of the root causes of all evil within our societies.
In fact, it is worth noting that many major donors and international financial institutions are increasingly basing their aid and loans on the condition that reforms that ensure good governance are undertaken.
Such policies are very much essential in fostering accountability and good governance in the governance system, thus ensuring that public officials are held accountable for their actions.
Good governance is needed both in central government, local councils, civil society organizations and so on.
People, for example, pay rates and taxes to their area councils, which in turn have the responsibility, through those in charge, to report back to the people through their elected representatives in the councils, and to deliver development projects such as good roads, schools, health centers, and other public goods.
"Transparency is the key"
Joseph Muscat
