Click the star to add/remove an item to/from your individual schedule.
You need to be logged in to avail of this functionality.
Log in
- Convenors:
-
Mzikayise Binza
(Walter Sisulu University)
Omololu Fagbadebo (Durban University of Technology)
Send message to Convenors
- Chair:
-
Fulufhelo Netswera
(Durban University of Technology)
- Discussants:
-
Tunde Abioro
(OBAFEMI AWOLOWO UNIVERSITY, ILE IFE, NIGERIA)
Omololu Fagbadebo (Durban University of Technology)
- Format:
- Panel
- Streams:
- Economy and Development (x) Infrastructure (y)
- Location:
- Philosophikum, S68
- Sessions:
- Thursday 1 June, -
Time zone: Europe/Berlin
Short Abstract:
The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is growing in Africa. It provides employment opportunities to young Africans who have explored the prospects of mobile technologies and services. But the management of the continent's public sector threatens its sustainability.
Long Abstract:
The digitization of national economies using Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is a growing trend that has provided Africans with opportunities for sustainable development in the future. While the continent is endowed with rich human and material resources, the management of its public sector by the political and bureaucratic leadership has remained an obstacle to its bourgeoning crisis of governance. The 4th Industrial Revolution (4IR) requires sustainable infrastructural facilities such as constant electricity, for effective functioning. The Internet of Things (IoT), robotics, virtual reality (VR) and artificial intelligence (AI), genetic engineering, and quantum computing, among others, would advance society's development in an environment characterized by good governance. Governance in Africa has remained a global concern as the poor management of the public sector continues to impact society negatively. Corruption continues to weaken state capacity while infrastructural decay impedes development and growth. This panel seeks to interrogate the nexus between governance and the future of African development in the era of the 4IR. One of the prospects of the 4IR is the autonomy of citizens and the advancement of their freedom. An improved social system with a flexible, knowledge-and skills-based economy would spur growth and development. Thus, for the 4IR to bear fruits of growth and development, there should be conscious reforms to deal with the culture of immunity and deviance that characterise leadership's management of the public sector.
Accepted papers:
Session 1 Thursday 1 June, 2023, -Opeyemi Nathaniel Oladunjoye (North-West University, South Africa) Mooki Lobelo (North West UNiversity South Africa) Aaron Tshidzumba (North-West University)
Paper short abstract:
South Africa transited from apartheid to democracy in 1994 but the problem of inequality has persisted. The intermediating role of financial development on the nexus between democracy and income inequality is scarcely being studied in South Africa despite having a relatively high financial system.
Paper long abstract:
South Africa transited from apartheid to popular democracy in 1994 and has since been enjoying the dividends of democracy such as entrenchment of fundamental human rights, freedom of association and freedom to own property for almost three decades. However, the problem of rising inequality has persisted despite practicing the democratic system of government in South Africa which adversely affect economic development and socio-political stability of the country. These inconsistencies resulted in setbacks leading to the problem of high poverty rate of more than 55 percent and unemployment of over 27 percent and youth unemployment of about 50 percent. Addressing this problem remains a concern to scholars and policy makers alike. Although, studies have argued that democracy can ameliorate the problem of income inequality in an economy and that financial development promote democracy and reduce inequality. However, the intermediating role of financial development on the nexus between democracy and income inequality is scarcely being investigated among developing countries especially in South Africa given her relatively high level of financial development. This study intends to fill this gap in the literature. Secondary data on the financial development index, democracy index and Gini-coefficient will be sourced from the World Development Indicators of the World Bank and Freedom House Country and Territory Ratings and Statuses. Data collected will be analyzed using descriptive and econometrics techniques. This is with the view to expand the frontiers of knowledge on the role of financial development on the nexus between democracy and income inequality in South Africa.
Abigail Yankey (University of Ghana)
Paper short abstract:
The work examined the causes of corruption in Ghana and the strategies to address them. Specifically, it focused on the investigative, preventive, and enforcement roles the capacity of CHRAJ using the principal-agent theory and qualitative research methods.
Paper long abstract:
The effective performance of anti-corruption institutions (ACIs) has raised concerns, especially in most African countries. Ghana's stagnation in the fight against corruption continues to trigger renewed debate over the relevance of the existence of the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) as the first independent constitutionally mandated body created under the Fourth Republican Constitution to curb corruption. This paper assesses how the CHRAJ has fulfilled its anti-corruption mandate since its inception.
The objectives are to examine the causes of corruption in Ghana and the strategies to address them. It discusses the investigative, preventive, and enforcement roles and its capacity using the principal-agent theory, the concept of accountability and qualitative research methods. The work adopted semi-structured interviews of fifty respondents including commissioners, directors and staff of the CHRAJ, public officials, civil society organisations, private sector organisations and development partners.
The study found that despite Ghana's progress regarding constitutional democratic governance in Africa, the country is not immune from corruption's menace leading to stagnation in various sectors. Also, Ghana adopted comprehensive constitutional, legislative, institutional reforms and strategies over the last thirty years to fight corruption. Nevertheless, the country lacks the political will and bureaucratic commitment to ensure effective implementation of anti-corruption policies. The study made a number of recommendations and shared some lessons learned to improve the fight against corruption in Ghana and Africa.