The UCLGA participates in the 5th Commonwealth Local Government Conference, Freeport, Grand Bahamas, 11 - 14 May 2009

The UCLGA, led by its President, Cllr Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, participated in the 5th Commonwealth Local Government Conference held in Freeport, the Grand Bahama from 11 – 14 May 2009.  Some members of the UCLGA Executive Committee who attended the Conference included Cllr Charles Mumena (Zambia), Cllr Kentse Rammidi (Botswana), Cllr John Karazaarwe (Uganda), Cllr Leonard Bihondo (Tanzania), Cllr Felix Akhabue (Nigeria), Cllr Nimrod Chiminya (Zimbabwe), Cllr Amos Masondo (ex-officio) and Mr Maurice Mbolela (Acting Secretary General).  Under the theme “Improving Local Government: The Commonwealth Vision” the Conference was attended by over 550 delegates representing 48 Commonwealth member countries.

Right Honourable Hubert Ingraham, Prime Minister of The Bahamas, officially opened the Conference on 11 May at the Our Lucaya Conference Centre. Key speakers included the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Honourable Bruce Golding, the Bahamas Local Government Minister Byran Woodside; Commonwealth Secretary-General His Excellency Kamalesh Sharma, CARICOM Secretary-General His Excellency Edwin Carrington, as well as out-going CLGF Chairperson, Cllr Basil Morrison.

Conscious of the fact that the Conference was held within the context of consolidating and reinforcing local government at a time of world economic downturn and resource constraints, the Freeport Declaration which emanated from the Conference spoke of improving local government as an important strategy in dealing with the world economic challenge.  This means not only strengthening the competence of councillors, officers and services, but also making sure that local government has a sound financial base and that there is sound monitoring of performance.  Delegates felt that this, and not downsizing and cutting budgets, is the way to tackle economic and financial problems in local authorities.  They felt that there is also an important role for local government to play in developing strategies to respond to the impacts of the economic downturn at community level as part of the community economic planning process.

Delegates also highlighted the importance of improving the financial base of local government by provincial and central government as well as from international partners in development.  They felt this was especially important in this time of recession as local government visibility needs to be maintained during these difficult periods, and as far as possible, revenue streams, in particular councils’ own source revenues, should be retained.  Delegates felt that local government is well placed to implement initiatives aimed at stimulating national economies.

In line with the 2008 Accra Agenda for Action, delegates felt that development aid should be coordinated with national development strategies and harmonized between donors and stakeholders, including local government, and resources should be provided in line with designated responsibilities.

The Freeport Declaration especially highlighted the Local Government ‘Improvement Agenda’ which identified the need to reshape and reposition local government in systems of government to overcome capacity constraints.  Building on the Aberdeen Agenda and the Auckland Accord, delegates agreed that local government should have as a core objective continuous improvement of the quality of services and governance it provides to the local community.  Delegates also agreed that there is no single model for improved local government that will fit all situations: improvement must fit the purpose within different local contexts.

The Declaration further highlighted a “business unusual” approach in local government, which speaks of confidence, opportunity and innovation rather than helplessness. 

Other areas highlighted by the Freeport Declaration’s Local Government “Improvement Agenda” include:

• Improving the financial base of local government

• Improving local service delivery to meet the needs of the whole community

• Improving community engagement with local government

• Improving central local relations

• Improving regional cooperation

• Improving the competence of local councilors and officials

• Improving the effectiveness of local government associations (LGAs)

• Improving monitoring and evaluation for the local government sector

The CLGF undertook to use its official accreditation to the 2009 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Trinidad and Tobago in November 2009 to highlight the role of local government in building sustainable and equitable communities in the Commonwealth and secure CHOGM endorsement of the Freeport Declaration and of the CLGF’s role.  It also undertook, in partnership with its key partners such as the UCLGA with whom it has signed an MoU, to continue to make full use of its status as the Designated Commonwealth Organization with responsibility for local government in driving forward the improvement agenda throughout the Commonwealth and beyond.

CLGF BOARD ELECTIONS

From the UCLGA Executive Committee members, Cllr Smangaliso Mkhatshwa was re-elected into the CLGF Board for a further two-year term of office, as was Cllr Leonard Bihondo (Tanzania) with Cllr John Karazaarwe (Uganda) as his alternate.  Cllr Amos Masondo, the Chairperson of SALGA was also re-elected for a further two-year term and was also nominated co-Vice President of the Board, with Cllr Rosina Hoabes (Namibia) elected in abstentia as his alternate.  In total, Africa will be represented by Ministers and councillors from Swaziland, South Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, Namibia, Cameroon, Sierra Leone, Zambia, Ghana, Botswana and Mauritius, with the UCLGA taking up the “representation-at-large” position on the Board.  

To download the CLGF Freeport Conference Declaration   click here.

For more information kindly contact:

Ms Lilian Dodzo
Email: Ldodzo@uclgafrica.org