ABSTRACT

Some of the most far-reaching and innovative parliamentary reform is occurring in Africa. While these reforms are not yet widespread across the continent, parliaments in some African countries are asserting their independence as policymakers, as overseers of government and as the guardian of citizens’ rights and needs.

This book presents recent reforms in selected African parliaments – Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin, Zambia, Ethiopia, Liberia and Nigeria. It also presents cross-cutting innovations by African parliaments – in fighting corruption, in providing development to constituents and in combatting climate change. Many of the chapters are authored by African MPs themselves, making this a book ‘by MPs for MPs’, as well as being of interest to students and scholars of African Politics, and to those international institutions that support parliamentary development.

African Parliamentary Reform is a joint initiative by the World Bank Institute, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Parliamentary Centre (Africa).

chapter 1|4 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|10 pages

Engaging Civil Society

Ghana's First Public PAC Hearing

chapter 5|12 pages

Peace-building and National Reconciliation

The Role of the Rwandan Parliament

chapter 6|6 pages

Reaching out to Citizens

Enhancing the Opportunity for Private Members Bills and Creating Constituency Offices in Zambia

chapter 7|8 pages

Promoting Reforms in the Kenyan Parliament

We have come a Long Way

chapter 8|6 pages

Benin

Citizen Participation in the National Budget Debate Via the Budget Committee (a note)

chapter 10|2 pages

Rebuilding Parliament in a Conflict-affected Country

Based on an Interview with Senator Franklin Siakor from Liberia

chapter 13|8 pages

Role Model for the World

The Formation of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption (APNAC) and its Regional and Global Impact

chapter 14|15 pages

The Growth of Constituency Development Funds in Africa and Beyond

Institutionalized Rent-extraction or Constituency-specific Development Assistance?

chapter 15|12 pages

Climate Change

Establishing a Continental Parliamentary Task Force

chapter 18|7 pages

Conclusions