This is a list of previous prominent blog posts. We have listed them here so that they are easy to find. Just click the headlines.
Progress with 5G Digital Coverage in the UK & Developing World Implications
Posted on October 1, 2019 Author: David Fellows
5G mobile communication offers the prospect of high bandwith reception for rapid video downloads, gaming and service provision to heavy concentrations of digital devices, for example; pop concerts, major sporting events, shopping malls and crowded city centres.
In this blog David Fellows tempers expectations of widespread 5G coverage in developed countries on grounds of financial viability and suggests that developing countries are better served by focusing digital infrastructure investment on broadband cable and lower frequency 4G mobile services.
Policy frameworks and municipal effectiveness
Posted on September 4, 2019 Author: David Fellows
The effectiveness of municipalities’ is linked to the extent of the connection between service policies, service development planning and managerial aptitude. Any weaknesses in these areas invites potential service delivery problems.
In this blog David Fellows argues municipalities need to use an effective policy framework to key service delivery on track. This needs to be reviewed and updated regularly. Key points from this blog are also outlined in a Slideshare presentation and in a video.
Using Digital Communication to Improve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)Delivery
Posted on August 28, 2019 Author: David Fellows
Current progress around the world in achieving the SDGs is frequently below expectations. We suggest that current SDG development work could be more successful. We argue in this blog that networking based on a digital communication system could usefully support learning systems that distribute knowledge about implementing SDGs on a local, national, regional and world-wide basis. Key points from this blog are also outlined in a SlideShare presentation and in a video.
Digital Government in Developing Countries
Posted on March 7, 2019 Authors: David Fellows and Glyn Evans
While digital government practices offer many potential opportunities for developing countries, there are a number of obstacles to be addressed. In this blog we suggest that developing countries should employ an evolutionary approach to digitally-enabled reform. We outline a detailed strategy for countries to adopt and suggest it is possible to significantly reduce the associated risks.
We have also prepared a supporting slideshare presentation where we suggest that cost-effective reform must be based on a realistic assessment of organisational capacity and a proper evaluation of the spending priorities.
An International eCollaboration Route to Public Service Reform
Posted on July 25, 2017 Author: David Fellows
This blog suggests that governance reform in developing countries could be even more effectively owned by them if it were facilitated by digital communication. The flexibility, inclusivity and cost-effectiveness of this medium could provide more intensive and productive engagement between a wide range of contributors from relevant fields of expertise. The blog instances a variety of initiatives that could be supported in this manner.
Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Programme Evaluation
Posted on May 29, 2017 Authors: David Fellows, John Leonardo Contributors: Abdallah Ali-Nakyea and Cornelia Körtl
Last year the Commonwealth Secretariat commissioned PFMConnect Ltd to undertake an independent evaluation to assess the performance of its Africa Anti-Corruption Programme.
Views were obtained through discussions with officials from Commonwealth Africa countries, the Commonwealth Africa Anti-Corruption Centre (CAACC) in Botswana and at the Secretariat in London. In addition, past students of the CAACC training programmes were asked to complete an online survey giving their impressions of the training they had received, including its subsequent effectiveness back in the workplace.
Those interviewed produced an array of interesting ideas for the future development of the Commonwealth’s Africa Anti-Corruption Programme and attested to the value of the training offered.
Amongst other things, the evaluation report suggests that anti-corruption agencies in Commonwealth Africa could be even more effective in their work if they formed a broader alliance with other national governance units possibly including auditors, procurement authorities, competition agencies and financial system administrators. Greater use of digital technology is advocated in support of regional collaboration and training. Proposals are also made for extending such support elsewhere within the Commonwealth with priority being given to smaller states.
The Commonwealth Secretariat is now considering the report with its various stakeholders before decisions are taken about the best way to develop the Commonwealth’s anti-corruption agenda.
International Development and the Challenge of Public Sector Corruption
Posted on April 29, 2016 Authors: David Fellows, John Leonardo and Cornelia Körtl
We offer evidence that corruption hampers government effectiveness, including the quality of public services, and economic prosperity and suggest that good public financial management (PFM) can help control corruption. We also set out our thoughts on how this beneficial effect can be achieved. A SlideShare presentation covering this blog’s main points is available. A postscript to this blog was subsequently prepared following the 12 May 2016 London Anti-Corruption Summit.
Papua New Guinea’s poor and deteriorating financial management: can it be turned around?
Posted on January 12, 2016 Authors: David Fellows and John Leonardo
We review the 2015 Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment for Papua New Guinea (PNG) and note the relatively poor and deteriorating trend in PNG’s PFM. Limited transparency about PNG’s PFM is highlighted. We suggest there should be an open assessment of the PFM reform challenges and their root causes involving the full range of stakeholders to produce a way forward. A SlideShare presentation covering this blog’s main points is available.
Public sector procurement in Kenya
Posted on December 7, 2015 Authors: David Fellows and John Leonardo
We report on the feedback from a group of Kenyan Federation of Women Entrepreneur Associations (FEWA) members regarding public sector procurement practices in Kenya. We have highlighted the women’s concerns and suggestions about current Kenyan public sector procurement practices. A SlideShare presentation covering this blog’s main points is available.
Proposals for PEFA reform
Posted on November 13, 2015 Authors: David Fellows and John Leonardo
We note that PEFA assessments and PEFA-based reforms do not seem to be bringing improvements in a number of PFM activities. We argue that for at least those governments in serious difficulty the scope of the PEFA methodology is too narrow and that there must be a more broader-based and extended PEFA assessment that helps concentrate minds on the root causes of serious PFM shortcomings. A SlideShare presentation covering this blog’s main points is available.
African Finance Ministries, Social Media and Public Financial Management
Posted on October 6, 2015 Authors: David Fellows and John Leonardo
We identify the African government finance ministries that are currently actively using Social Media and analyse the composition of their posts. We suggest African finance ministers may find they can use Social Media to increase public understanding of public finance issues. A SlideShare presentation covering this blog’s main points is available.
