Search

Begin New Search Political Geography Africa Content Type Working Paper Publishing Institution Urban Institute

1. Local Government Discretion and Accountability in Sierra Leone

Author:
Benjamin Edwards, Serdar Yilmaz, and Jameson Boex
Publication Date:
03-2014
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Urban Institute
Abstract:
Sierra Leone is a small West African country with approximately 6 million people. Since 2002, the nation has made great progress in recovering from a decade-long civil war, in part due to consistent and widespread support for decentralization and equitable service delivery. Three rounds of peaceful elections have strengthened democratic norms, but more work is needed to cement decentralization reforms and strengthen local governments. This paper examines decentralization progress to date and suggests several next steps the government of Sierra Leone can take to overcome the remaining hurdles to full implementation of decentralization and improved local public service delivery.
Topic:
Human Welfare and Reform
Political Geography:
Africa

2. An Urban-Rural Focus on Food Markets in Africa

Author:
Clare Romanik
Publication Date:
11-2007
Content Type:
Working Paper
Institution:
Urban Institute
Abstract:
This paper takes an urban-rural focus on sub-Saharan Africa (hereafter: Africa) food markets, arguing that the structure of food demand is changing with urbanization and that policies and programs should focus on what will help both the very poor rural producers and the large number of very poor urban consumers in African cities. Aside from migration, improved access to markets is the most likely way for poor rural populations to improve their livelihoods. The growing numbers of very poor urban dwellers mean that policymakers need to consider how to keep food prices affordable without recreating the subsidies that stifled economic growth in the past. Experts on economic growth in Africa note that among all regions of the world, Africa trades the least within its region. Increasing access to domestic and regional markets is seen as key to poverty reduction, food security, and economic growth, as well as a necessary step to improve the continent's capacity to trade with the rest of the world (USAID 2005).
Topic:
Agriculture
Political Geography:
Africa and South Africa