Increasing Accountability through Budget Transparency at the Subnational Level in Cameroon

Alton, Martin Luis ; Agarwal, Sanjay

World Bank, Washington, DC

关键词: ACCOUNTABILITY;    ACCOUNTING;    ACCOUNTING SYSTEM;    ADMINISTRATIVE CAPACITY;    AUTHORITY;   

RP-ID  :  89828

学科分类：社会科学、人文和艺术（综合）

来源: World Bank Open Knowledge Repository

【 摘 要 】

Improving governance is a majordevelopment challenge for Cameroon and for many otherdeveloping countries, and making public financial managementmore transparent is a central part of it. While budgets arepublic documents, accessible to citizens in principle, inpractice, budget information is difficult to come by as aresult of political, administrative, capacity, andlogistical constraints as well as cost barriers at all tiersof government, including the national, regional, andmunicipal level and at service-delivery points like schoolsand health centers. In two of Cameroon s 10 regions, a WorldBank-supported initiative has piloted a citizen-centeredapproach for disseminating simplified budget information of151 schools, 58 health centers, and 28 municipalities andthe two regional administrations. Budgets were made publicand awareness was raised through various activities,including public community meetings at which the budgets ofinstitutions were read aloud, poster campaigns, artcompetitions, theater performances, student budget clubs,and the use of media such as community radios and Facebook.Results of the initiative include increased tax revenues forone local council, changes in the willingness of parents tocontribute to the financing of schools, and greater trustbetween mayors and constituents.