FEBRUARY 5, 2007

USAID's Strategic Objective in Guinea: 'Advance Democratic Governance'

(excerpt from USAID/Guinea's Strategy Statement, 2006-08, p. 5)

"USAID/Guinea has taken the bold step of designing a strategy that has a single Strategic Objective (SO), "Advance Democratic Governance" As stated in the Strategic Framework for Africa, USAID/Guinea will use earmarks and sectoral funding to first and foremost accomplish the Fragile States objective and at the same time attain sectoral results. While activities will contribute to furthering economic growth, agricultural production, biodiversity conservation, family planning, maternal and child health, polio eradication, HIV/AIDS, and basic education, USAID in Guinea is not mandated to carry out purely humanitarian interventions.

"USAID/Guinea’s primary focus is on addressing Guinea’s status as a fragile state by achieving changes in its governance. Therefore almost all of the Mission’s activities will have a D/G focus, either strengthening civil society knowledge, behavior, and participation, or improving GOG accountability, transparency, and efficiency. The vast majority of the Mission’s work is designed to improve governance in the areas where we have earmarked funds.

"The hypothesis is that the main blockages to advances in economic growth, agriculture, NRM, health, and education is the performance of the government. Before USAID can have an impact on improved service delivery or improved livelihoods, it must first address the governance constraints that impeded development in these areas. By increasing GOG capacity, accountability and efficiency, USAID/Guinea will have a greater, longer lasting effect on its targeted sectors. Thus while the USAID/Guinea program has one SO focused on governance reform, USAID/Guinea will use program components and indicators to demonstrate that the program addresses fragile governance and achieves impact in USAID’s respective earmarked sectors. USAID/Guinea will continue to report on earmarks, directives and global issues as required.

"The Mission intends to consolidate the geographic location of activities in different sectors so that they complement each other. Although geographic focus is still under discussion, it is likely that the Forest Region, which suffered from cross border incursions and is more vulnerable to conflict, will be a focus."

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