African Parliamentary Reform
Routledge Research in Comparative Politics Series

Some of the most far-reaching and innovative parliamentary reform is occurring in Africa. While these reforms are not yet widespread across the continent, parliaments in some African countries are asserting their independence as policymakers, as overseers of government and as the guardian of citizens? rights and needs.

African Parliamentary Reform presents recent reforms in selected African parliaments ? Liberia, Ghana, Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Benin and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It also presents cross-cutting innovations by African parliaments ? in fighting corruption, in providing development to constituents and in combatting climate change. Many of the chapters are authored by African MPs.

The book will be of interest to students and scholars of African Politics, and to those international institutions that support parliamentary development.

African Parliamentary Reform is a joint initiative by the World Bank Institute, the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Parliamentary Centre (Africa).

1. Introduction 2. Engaging Civil Society – Ghana’s First PAC Hearing 3. Enhancing Research & Information – Uganda’s Parliamentary Budget Office - Hon. Beatrice Kiraso 4. Promoting Gender Equality in the Tanzanian Parliament 5. Peace-building and National Reconciliation – the Role of the Rwandan Parliament - Sen. Joseph Kamerera 6. Reaching Out to Citizens – Enhancing the Opportunity for Private Members Bills & Constituency Offices in Zambia 7. Promoting Parliamentary Reforms in Kenya – We Have Come a Long Way 8. Benin; Citizen Participation in the Budget Debate via the Budget Committee (A Note) - Parliamentary Centre Staff 9. Strengthening Financial Accountability & Parliamentary Oversight in Ethiopia 10. Rebuilding Parliament in a Conflict Affected Country – Interview with Senator Franklin Siakor (Liberia) 11. Changing Standing Orders in Tanzania 12. The Parliamentary PACs in Nigerian States: Structure, Working Practices and Networking 13. Role Model for the World: The Formation of the African Parliamentarians Network Against Corruption 14. Providing Services to the Community- Constituency Development Funds 15. Climate Change –Establishing a Continental Parliamentary Task Force 16. Strengthening Public Accounts Committees Through Regional Networks Across Africa 17. The Role of Parliamentarians in the Governance of Petroleum Resources

Rick Stapenhurst is a parliamentary consultant/advisor to the World Bank Institute, USA. His most recent publications include Parliaments as Peacebuilders: The Role of Parliaments in Conflict Affected Countries. Rasheed Draman is the Director of the Parliamentary Centre’s program in Africa. His reports on African political developments include ‘Poverty Reduction Strategy Process and Parliaments in Africa’. Andrew Imlach is the Director of Communications and Research at the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association Secretariat in London. Since 1983, he has been the Editor of The Parliamentarian, the Journal of Commonwealth Parliaments and Legislatures. Alexander Hamilton is a consultant at the World Bank Institute. USA, and is completing a PhD. in political economy at the University of Oxford. Cindy Kroon currently works at the World Bank Institute specializing on the engagement of parliaments in the extractive industries sector. She previously worked at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Central Bank.