Search

The Guinea Mission of the U.S. Agency for International Development: Advancing Democratic Governance

Corruption and lack of accountability are not problems confined to Guinea’s larger cities. Even remote rural areas suffer from poor governance with the result that farmers and small businesses suffer. The town of Dieke, for example, is situated in one of the most agriculturally productive areas in Guinea, where palm oil and rubber are staples. Life should have been prosperous for the region’s 34,000 inhabitants. However, a number of serious governance problems plagued the region. Grants from SOGUIPAH (Guinean company that produces palm oil) were mismanaged, land owned by the Rural Community for Development (CRD) was sold illegally, and there was little or no access to essential administrative documents, including the budget. The economic outlook for Dieke was indeed bleak when USAID, working through its partner Faison Ensemble, launched a program to train the community about CRD decision making and fund management. In sharing information and searching together for solutions, participants quickly realized that what was needed was a code that defined programs within the community, delegated responsibilities and clarified the development plan. From these meetings emerged the Code of Collectivity. It also became clear that the CRD needed fresh new leadership in order to break with the abuses of the past.Community activists petitioned the Ministry of Decentralization to nominate new councilors, and provided the ministry with a list of reliable candidates. The ministry complied with the result that 11 new councilors, whose names had been submitted by the population, were nominated. The positive effects were immediately apparent. The CRD regained the trust of the population, and the population showed an increased willingness to participate in the program. The population was able to access needed documents, and everyone in the community was welcome at meetings to discuss CRD matters. With accountability restored, people were willing to pay increased taxes, knowing the funds would be openly administered. Pe’ Kedo Bereton, coordinator of a local youth group, said “Thanks to Faison Ensemble the population is directly involved in the CRD management. They make decisions on financial issues and demand transparency.” A similar situation existed in Kerouane prefecture where the mining company Rio Tinto has been providing the population with funds for community development projects. Unfortunately, those responsible for managing the CRD grants never informed the communities of the funds or their intended uses.In order to prevent such incidences from happening in the future, local officials and areas youths from Kerouane took part in the Faison Ensemble training on local governance. The program with its emphasis on transparency and responsibility was an immediate hit. The population is now informed about local projects, and understands its responsibility in seeing them through. Even better, when someone has a question, they know where to get answers.

 

Last updated February 17, 2009. Comments on the content of the site are always welcome, and should be directed to Francesca Munzi, USAID/Guinea's Development Outreach and Communications Specialist. Please report any technical problems to the Webmaster. USAID Security and Privacy Statement

Story and photo by Francesca Munzi