Challenges of Decentralization in Malawi
Journal Title: International Journal of Management Sciences - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 7
Abstract
This study investigated the challenges of decentralization in Malawi with emphasis on Lilongwe City Assembly. The objectives were to identify the constraints of decentralization in Malawi, as well as recommend ways to improve the decentralization process. The study targeted civil servants, local authority employees and citizens. It made use of secondary data and primary data collected through a survey. The findings of the study showed that despite introducing decentralization with good intentions like empowering local authorities and improving participation of the citizenry, cost cutting and improving local economic development, the process in Malawi has not been very successful. A number of constraints were identified which include reluctance by the central government to relinquish some powers and responsibility, inadequate funding, lack of human and technical capacity on the part of the local authorities themselves as well as faltering and diminishing political zeal and enthusiasm of the central government that existed at the implementation stage. The study recommends full devolution of functions by the central government, a review of revenue bases for the local assemblies in order to improve revenue collection and enhance local citizen participation so that their priorities are taken into account. Lastly the centre should continuously support the local assemblies, financially and technically, until they can ably manage the assemblies. It is recommended that the government continues to support capacity building and give assistance to assemblies that do not have strong resource endowments and revenue bases.
Authors and Affiliations
Nelson Jagero, Hardson H. Kwandayi, Annie Longwe
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP26799
- DOI -
- Views 379
- Downloads 7
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT): A Panacea to Achieving Effective Goals in Institutional Administration
This paper examines the use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) by institutional administrators for effective administration. The paper states the need for effective use of ICT by institutional administrat...
Mission Statement and Bank Performance: Evidence from Nigerian Banking Industry
This study examines the relationship between mission statement and banks performance. The sample for this study consists of 11 banks from Nigerian banking industry. The secondary data was adopted for this study. The da...
Human Element of Service Delivery and Customer Retention: The Case of a Selected Service Enterprise in Kenya
Shoe shine enterprises find it difficult to envision and understand what aspect connote high quality to consumers, and the levels of the aspects that are required to deliver high quality service. However retention as a...
The Relationship between the Organization Agility and Mental Health of Staff on Strategic Preparation for Crisis Management: The case study in Islamic Azad Universities of Mazandaran
Today, service and manufacturing organizations live in changing environmental conditions and the business, cultural, social, economic and political conditions of the environment affects the performance of organizations...
Examination of Influence and Intention towards Lyceum of the Philippines University and Career Choice of General Engineering Students.
This study aimed to determine the first, second and third choice course of General Engineering students at Lyceum of the Philippines University-Batangas. It also aims to determine how the respondents become acquainted...