Local Government-Ngo Relations And Development In Ethiopia (Challenges, Opportunities And Prospects) The Case Of Development Ngos In Oromia Region
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Date
2006-06
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Addis Ababauniversity
Abstract
The degree to which the NGO potential is realized depends on many factors. A
paramount factor is the nature of the relationship between the NGO sector and the state.
Government policies and attitudes have a pivotal influence on the capacity of NGOs to
operate and grow. A better understanding of factors affecting the rela tionship between
the two actors at local government level, where NGOs are operational, helps maximize
the development inputs by NGOs, the development of policies regulating the sector as
well as shape the direction of future action for smooth relation in development
discourse. This research work, therefore, endeavors to generate ideas that would be
useful for smooth management and incorporation of resources the sector brings into the
economy by fostering enabling policy environment. To this end, investiga tion of policies
that regulate the operation of NGOs, major areas of complaint by both parties, other
subsidiary factors such as institutional arrangements, economic and political factors
inhibiting smooth operation of the sector in the region are dealt with in detail.
The study was undertaken in National Regional State of Oromia. A stratified sampling
procedure was employed to collect primary data from government institu tions at all
levels (federal, regional zonal and district levels) believed to have direct relevance with
the issue at hand. Respondents reached include high government officials; professionals
working on NGO related posts and NGO project personnel from 35 NGOs, both
indigenous and international. The survey result indicated that, though the commitment
of the government to regulate, coordinate and encourage NGOs is reflected in various
policy documents, adequate effort and due attention has not been given to translate
policy sta tements into action. The government lacked institutional capacity to enforce its
own making. Furthermore, the policy regulation and its guiding procedures for legality
are found to be tedious, tiresome, bureaucratic, apart from being obsolete to conform to
present realities on ground.
Thus, identifying and understanding the various elements that are responsible for lack
of smooth rela tions between the actors in regions like Oromia, where almost a third of
NGOs operational in the country are stationed, deserves urgent research undertaking.
The research find ings, will for sure contribute immense input in guiding policy
decisions, and improvement in the management of the NGO sector at sub-regional,
regional and national levels
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Challenges, Opportunities And Prospects) The Case of Development Ngos In Oromia Region