Strengthening the Fabric of Governance in Guinea Through Multisectoral Interventions
Governance structures in Guinea have long benefited few at the expense of many, obstructing stability and development. Guineans’ lives over the half century following independence from France have been marred by dictatorship, coups, and deadly violence. Many observers consider the country’s few elections flawed. Unless they are government officials, citizens have likely had limited input into how their country is run.
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| Faisons Ensemble supports rural and community radio through grants, and also trains journalists to fight corruption. [Photos: Faisons Ensemble staff] |
RTI International is working to improve the lives of citizens through strategic multisectoral interventions that produce tangible benefits while strengthening the fabric of governance required to extend such benefits to all. Under the U.S. Agency for International Development-funded Faisons Ensemble (Working Together, 2007–2010) project, RTI implements interventions in health, education, agriculture, and natural resource management. RTI leads a consortium of two Guinean and five U.S. nongovernmental organizations.
The project collaborates with an additional 16 Guinean organizations to increase civic participation in governance, including watchdog and advocacy functions; improve basic services; promote transparency and reduce corruption; and expand access to independent information. Faisons Ensemble’s four regions—Conakry, N’Zerekore, Dabola, and Kankan—are home to more than half the country’s population.
In December 2008, a military coup following the death of Guinea’s president led to suspension of Faisons Ensemble governance work at the national level. Work continues, however, at the local level and in the health care and education sectors, considered as humanitarian by the U.S. Government and therefore not subject to its assistance suspension.
Civic Participation
Guinea’s history of instability and corruption contributes to political apathy, so the project promotes citizen participation in government and, more generally, good citizenship.
For example, working with the National Institute for Teaching and Learning, Faisons Ensemble developed a new middle school civic education curriculum now adopted by the Ministry of Secondary Education. In addition, Faisons Ensemble is supporting institutionalization of school management committees—composed of teachers, parents, and students—in selected areas.
The project has also employed nontraditional approaches to bolster good citizenship. In December 2007, tensions ran high in Conakry as the one-year anniversary of violent protests that left more than 2,000 people injured and 250 dead drew near. Many feared unrest would ensue.
In response, Faisons Ensemble developed the targeted Project d’Education Civique (Civic Education Project, PEC), which promoted nonviolent practices, conflict resolution, and social responsibility. The project prepared more than 250 religious, labor, business, and local government leaders from Conakry’s five communes to participate.
Since gangs—composed primarily of young, unemployed, and impoverished men—were responsible for much of the violence during the previous uprising, PEC participants reached out to gang leaders to defuse trouble. PEC gained the trust of several gang leaders and encouraged them to use their influence over Conakry gangs to promote reconciliation.
An influential gang leader, Ibrahima Camera, known as “Big Manager,” was among the first to join PEC. “I will do all that is in my power not only to avoid conflict but also to work with the many youth who respect me to spread the message of unity to prevent acts of violence,” Camara said.
He encouraged hundreds of gang members to refrain from instigating conflict and to actively deter others from inciting it. The project used multiple other activities, such as cultural events and public service announcements, to further promote peace among the city’s youth.
No major violence occurred in Conakry in early 2008. In fact, youth gang members were regularly observed actively preventing those attempting to block roads or incite violence. Leaders across sectors cited PEC as a significant factor in the prevention of conflict at a fragile moment in Guinea’s history.
Faisons Ensemble’s participation efforts also support informed voting for an upcoming presidential election.
Literacy as a Path to Good Citizenship
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| A woman speaks out at a town meeting in Bissikrima. [Photo: Faisons Ensemble staff] |
In Guinea, fewer than 20% of adult women can read and write. Illiteracy, coupled with traditional gender roles, prevents women from influencing public policy. Faisons Ensemble has established more than 180 adult literacy centers, which build competencies that may help facilitate civic participation.
At 50 years old, Fatoumata Barry had never offered input on public decisions that affect her life. Barry was illiterate and supported her family by selling household goods, but she was unable to keep accurate records, hindering business growth. Barry also led a collective of women who sell similar goods.
When Faisons Ensemble established an adult literacy center nearby, Barry and many members of her collective took literacy and numeracy classes in their native Pulaar language. Their enhanced ability to read, write, and keep accounting records has allowed their businesses to grow.
The women also learned they had the right and ability to participate in public decisions. They began attending local council sessions and petitioned successfully for a new multipurpose center to house classrooms and a health clinic.
Community Participation in Health Governance
The mismanagement of resources plagues the health care system in Guinea. To combat this problem, Comités de Gestion de Santé (Community Health Management Groups, COGES)—comprising a variety of community members—were formed as vehicles for community involvement in the management of local health facilities, such as clinics.
Faisons Ensemble has taught aspects of financial management and internal governance to more than 160 COGES representatives to assist them in bringing greater accountability and structure to the health care system. Faisons Ensemble has also trained COGES members in communication techniques so they can advocate for preventing the spread of HIV, improving family planning, and increasing the rate of vaccination of children. In addition to supporting the COGES, the project works closely with associations of people living with HIV/AIDS.
Upcoming work in health increases the emphasis on local governance. For example, the project team and health advocates have concrete opportunities to improve the governance of community health centers. They include ensuring centers’ service fees and financial reports are posted and published, supporting advocacy to increase health resources from the communes and rural development communities, supporting community audits of deconcentrated health services, and training elected leaders on health indicators.
e-mail esow@faisonsensemble.org;
Becky Gadell,
e-mail rgadell@rti.org