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Decentralisation in Togo: the contribution of ICT-based participatory development approaches to strengthening local governance

Author

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  • Breuer, Anita
  • Blomenkemper, Laura
  • Kliesch, Stefan
  • Salzer, Franziska
  • Schädler, Manuel
  • Schweinfurth, Valentine
  • Virchow, Stephen

Abstract

This study adds to the debate on the contribution of digital Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) towards the improvement of local governance. Sub-Saharan Africa has been identified as a region where the achievement of development goals is hampered by a high degree of government centralisation. The recognition of decentralisation as a strategic imperative for development has contributed to the popularity of participatory development approaches (PDA) which aim at empowering local populations. Motivated by the rapid of mobile telephony in Africa, scholars and development practitioners have become increasingly interested in the possibility of utilising digital ICT in the context of PDA in the region. In the context of a decentralisation programme, the German KfW Development Bank is currently pilot testing an ICT-based citizen participation platform in several Togolese middle cities. The objective of the platform is two improve citizen participation, transparency, and accountability in local governance. This study presents a Social Network Analysis (SNA) that investigates the state of decentralisation in two of the Togolese cities in which KfW’s ICT-based citizen participation platform is being implemented. Based on the findings of the SNA, the authors discuss the potential of ICT-based participatory development approaches to strengthen local governance in general, and formulate specific recommendations for the further development of KfWs ICT-based citizen participation platform in Togo.

Suggested Citation

  • Breuer, Anita & Blomenkemper, Laura & Kliesch, Stefan & Salzer, Franziska & Schädler, Manuel & Schweinfurth, Valentine & Virchow, Stephen, 2017. "Decentralisation in Togo: the contribution of ICT-based participatory development approaches to strengthening local governance," IDOS Discussion Papers 6/2017, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    • Handle: RePEc:zbw:diedps:62017
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. World Bank, 2007. "Local Government Discretion and Accountability : A Local Governance Framework," World Bank Publications - Reports 7859, The World Bank Group.
    2. International Monetary Fund, 2014. "Togo: Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper," IMF Staff Country Reports 2014/224, International Monetary Fund.
    3. Mark Thompson, 2008. "Ict and development studies: Towards development 2.0," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 20(6), pages 821-835.
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    6. Thomas Schillemans, 2008. "Accountability in the Shadow of Hierarchy: The Horizontal Accountability of Agencies," Public Organization Review, Springer, vol. 8(2), pages 175-194, June.
    7. von Haldenwang, Christian, 2008. "Taxation, social cohesion and fiscal decentralization in Latin America," IDOS Discussion Papers 1/2008, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Kohnert, Dirk, 2019. "Togo -2018 : Politique intérieure, affaires étrangères, développement socio-économique [Author's version, in French] [Togo - 2018. In: Adetula, V. et al. (eds.), Africa Yearbook – Politics, economy," MPRA Paper 96970, University Library of Munich, Germany, revised 13 Nov 2019.
    2. Kohnert, Dirk, 2020. "BTI -2022 Togo Country Report : political and socio-economic development, 2019-2020 [enhanced author's version]," MPRA Paper 105007, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    3. Kohnert, Dirk, 2021. "Togo (2019 -2021) : Développement politique et socio-économique [Version étendue et annotée du « BTI 2022 - Togo Country Report »] [BTI 2022 - Togo Country Report]," MPRA Paper 105463, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Kappel, Robert & Pfeiffer, Birte & Reisen, Helmut, 2017. "Compact with Africa: fostering private long-term investment in Africa," IDOS Discussion Papers 13/2017, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    5. Kohnert, Dirk, 2019. "Pas de changement en vue : Le développement politique et socio-économique du Togo (2017 - 2019)," AfricArxiv hvrtm, Center for Open Science.
    6. Weigel, Moritz & Demissie, Alexander, 2017. "A new climate trilateralism? Opportunities for cooperation between the EU, China and African countries on addressing climate change," IDOS Discussion Papers 8/2017, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    7. Houdret, Annabelle & Harnisch, Astrid, 2017. "Decentralisation in Morocco: the current reform and its possible contribution to political liberalisation," IDOS Discussion Papers 11/2017, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    8. Camacho, Luis A. & Kreibaum, Merle, 2017. "Cash transfers, food security and resilience in fragile contexts: general evidence and the German experience," IDOS Discussion Papers 9/2017, German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS).
    9. Kohnert, Dirk, 2020. "BTI 2021 -Togo Country Report [author's version]," MPRA Paper 103792, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    Governance; Technologie und Innovation;

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