The role of parliament in promoting good governance

Abstract

This study attempts to analyze the contribution parliament can make to promote good governance and consolidate democracy in Africa. It focuses on the representational role of parliament there by examining how parliaments respond to the growing public pressure for greater involvement, information, accountability and better service delivery to citizens. It illustrates the different options that parliament can use to better engage with the citizens to fulfill its role of representation. The paper uses examples, innovations and experiences from selected countries around the globe to show how parliamentary representation is evolving, how parliaments are responding to citizens expectations and how the representational role of parliament can be strengthened so that citizen can actively and efficiently participate in decision making processes through parliament.