AN ASSESSMENT ON EFFECTIVENESS OF LOCAL LEVEL COUNCIL IN PROMOTING DEMOCRACY: THE CASE OF GORO WOREDA SOUTH WEST SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA REGION

Abstract

This thesis studies about effectiveness of local level council in Goro Woreda. Local council is one of the tiers of public authority that citizens first look to solve their social problems. Local council is locally elected body and it is in place to ensure the provision of social services and to make the voice of people to be heard. The government of Ethiopia in general and Goro woreda administration in particular establishes council at different level of government as a control means to ensure effective implementation of policies and programs by other government organs. However, the study conducted in the area revealed that the council did not effectively perform its role due to different reasons such as domination of the executive, lack of skilled man power, lack of commitment of members of the council and lack of resources. Therefore, this study focused to assess effectiveness of local level council in Goro woreda. In order to achieve objective of the study the researcher used purposive sampling technique and collected information both from primary and secondary sources. Different data collection methods have been employed. Primary data gathered through interview, focus group discussion and observation whereas secondary data gathered from document analysis such as minutes, reports and attendance of councilors. The data generated have been analyzed qualitatively using thematic content analysis and simple description which has been preceded by translation and transcription of the data. The study conducted in the area revealed that the council did not effectively perform its role due to different reasons such as domination of the executive, lack of skilled man power, lack of commitment of members of the council and lack of resources. By the study it was also found that the executive supremacy over the council forced the decisions and actions of the council to be in line with the interest of the executive, thus the council was not responsive to the needs of local community. In a nutshell, the council was hampered by a lot of challenges and was not effective in playing its role in providing social services and promoting democracy, therefore, it is recommended that the council should be free from insignificant intervention of different bodies and the activity of council should be accountable and transparent to the people. In addition to this councilors need to be committed to public interest and perform their role in accordance with the constitution to make the council independent entity.