Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - Fw: Africa 2016

Dear Ike:

During nearly 30 years of working with policymakers in Africa, I have learned many things, the most important of which is that many of them do not recognize the importance of research to public policy. In fact, I have had discussions with political elites and civil servants in Africa who believe that allowing research to inform policy is not the right approach to governance. This is evidenced by the fact that many of these policymakers do not invest in basic research--universities are poorly funded and few countries have globally competitive national research agencies. However, things are slowly changing. My experiences working with policymakers in Kenya and Uganda has revealed a significant shift towards more reliance on research as the foundation for sound public policy making. For example, in the last several years, the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA) has emerged as an important advisor to the Government of Kenya. In addition to research, KIPPRA is also participating in capacity building, helping provide critical manpower for various departments and agencies of the government, as well as the private sector. The Economic Policy Research Center (EPRC) in Uganda is performing a similar function for the Government and economy of Uganda. 

I share your frustration but I would like for you to know that things are changing and as younger and more informed individuals enter the government, and as African countries reform their governance architectures and provide themselves with institutional arrangements that more effectively constrain civil servants and politicians, and enhance transparency and openness, research will become more and more relevant to public policy. 

On a personal note, I hope that when you retire from university teaching and research, you would join me in my NGO, which is dedicated to improving the policy environment in the continent. One of the things that we would like to achieve is to provide short courses and workshops for policymakers on the critical issue of the role of research in public policy. 

Stay well and Happy New Year.

John 

On Wed, Jan 6, 2016 at 11:22 AM, Emmanuel Udogu <udoguei@appstate.edu> wrote:

Folks,

I have in the past read a number of splendid reports written on how to
move Africa forward socially, politically and developmentally in this
millennium. Two reports that caught my fancy because of my personal
interest on the matter of poverty were:

1. Nigeria: Poverty in the Midst of Plenty: The Challenge of Growth
with Inclusion. This was a World Bank Poverty Assessment Report.

2. Nigeria: Want in the Midst of Plenty: Africa Report, No. 113 - 19 July 2006 .

Questions: Are these excellent reports produced just because funds
have been set aside for doing so? Are there mechanisms for
implementing the tenets or provisions contained in these reports? What
should we and those who crafted these impressive templates do if
lawmakers fail to execute recommendations suggested in these reports?
Should we "reach into the dustbins" where some of these reports end
up, retrieve them, and "flash" them before our policymakers? In short,
what is to be done if our lawmakers fail to enthusiastically embrace
solutions to our situation that will surely emanate from this
significant Africa-2016 conference and dialogue?

Ike Udogu

On 1/6/16, John Mbaku <jmbaku@weber.edu> wrote:
> This is a very timely report. I believe readers will find it very
> informative and policy relevant.
>
> On Wed, Jan 6, 2016 at 1:53 AM, ayo_olukotun via USA Africa Dialogue Series
> <usaafricadialogue@googlegroups.com> wrote:
>
>> Sent from my BlackBerry® wireless handheld from Glo Mobile.
>> ------------------------------
>> *From: * richard joseph <richardjoseph65@gmail.com>
>> *Date: *Tue, 5 Jan 2016 14:14:34 -0600
>> *To: *ayo_olukotun-yahoo.com<ayo_olukotun@yahoo.com>; Toyin Falola<
>> toyinfalola@austin.utexas.edu>
>> *Subject: *Africa 2016
>>
>> Dear Ayo and Toyin:
>>
>> Salutations on the start of 2016!
>>
>> Kindly share this report with our colleagues:
>> http://www.brookings.edu/research/reports2/2016/01/foresight-africa-top-priorities
>>
>> I look forward to seeing Ayo and many other friends and colleagues at the
>> inaugural conference of the Ibadan School of Government and Public
>> Policy,
>> February 1-2.
>>
>> Warm regards,
>>
>> Richard
>>
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> *JOHN MUKUM MBAKU, ESQ.J.D. (Law), Ph.D. (Economics)Graduate Certificate in
> Environmental and Natural Resources Law Nonresident Senior Fellow, The
> Brookings InstitutionAttorney & Counselor at Law (Licensed in Utah)Brady
> Presidential Distinguished Professor of Economics &  John S. Hinckley
> Fellow Department of EconomicsWeber State University1337 Edvalson Street,
> Dept. 3807Ogden, UT 84408-3807, USA(801) 626-7442 Phone(801) 626-7423 Fax*
>
> --
> Listserv moderated by Toyin Falola, University of Texas at Austin
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--

JOHN MUKUM MBAKU, ESQ.
J.D. (Law), Ph.D. (Economics)
Graduate Certificate in Environmental and Natural Resources Law
Nonresident Senior Fellow, The Brookings Institution
Attorney & Counselor at Law (Licensed in Utah)
Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor of Economics &  John S. Hinckley Fellow
Department of Economics
Weber State University
1337 Edvalson Street, Dept. 3807
Ogden, UT 84408-3807, USA
(801) 626-7442 Phone
(801) 626-7423 Fax

--
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