This paper sets out to historicize on the trajectories of budgeting and their implementation in Ghana and Nigeria and make an analysis of some of their budgets and implementation and examine in detail, the causative factors orchestrating the phenomenon of improper budget planning and implementation.
Besides, the paper ascertains the role of law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies in budget policing and specifically examines some selected incidences of lapes within the implementation period. Furthrtmore, it identifies the impications of the prevalence of improper budget implementation and assesses the role of law enforcement and corruption agencies in both countries in order to ascertain detected lapses in implementation. To relate and connect an aspect of this paper with another of the author’s paper on the politics of godfatherism in Nigeria is also important.
The aim is to weigh a common factor bordering on bloated salaries of top government officials as it affects various aspects of governance and development. The paper also proffers recommendations on practical ways to arrest the malaise of under-implementation of budgets which has resulted in protracted underdevelopment.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Hypothesis
Abstract
1. Methodology
2. History of Budgets
3. Theoretical framework
3.1. Stewardship Theory
3.2. Theory of Class Struggle
3.3. Roles and activities of two financial crime agencies
4. Reasons for the Gap
4.1. Politics
4.2. Corruption
4.3. Repitition and duplication of budget items
4.4. Leakages and substandard supplies
4.5. Lack of sincere economic policy
4.6. Improper planning
4.7. Wasteful spending and borrowing
4.8. Lack of information
4.9. Abandoned and inflated projects
4.10. Weak interest from the citizens
4.11. Discontinuity in political succession
4.12. Lack of modalities for checking budget implementation
4.13. Weak suport for the civil society
4.14. Late budget approvals
4.15. Lack of policing mechanisms
4.16. Slow judicial process
4.17. Inadequate resources
5. Graphic measurements of welfare as an indicator of Human Development in Nigeria: 2006-2015
5.1. Outrageous cost of governance
6. Insecurity and crime as a consequence of poverty
7. Recommendations
8. Conclusion
Research Objective and Scope
This paper examines the systemic gap between national budget approvals and actual project implementation in Ghana and Nigeria, arguing that this disparity is a primary driver of underdevelopment and poverty. The research focuses on identifying the causative factors behind improper budget planning, the role of corruption, and the effectiveness of current law enforcement and anti-corruption agencies in policing these financial processes.
- Analysis of the historical and practical trajectories of budget implementation in Ghana and Nigeria.
- Investigation of causative factors for budget failure, including corruption, padding, and lack of oversight.
- Assessment of the role and limitations of anti-corruption agencies in budget policing.
- Evaluation of the impact of governance costs and political dynamics on national economic welfare.
Book Excerpt
4.1. Politics
The main issues surrounding the gap between budgets and implementation lies in the fact that funds appropriated for infrastructural projects such as building of roads, hospitals, railway lines, equiping the military, boosting agricultural production etc, end up in private pockets which defeats the idea of welfare and security as the primary purpose of government.
Persons at the corridors of power usually dictate what should be in the budget. The head of the budget office could be manipulated to make budget inputs beneficial to certain persons in government. When the budget is finally approved, the person in government may determine who gets the contract for the job. In so doing, he could influence the contractor in such a way that he receives kick backs from the job. In some other cases like constituency projects in Nigeria, the legislator representing the constituency where the project ought to be implemented, may take the contract and execute sub- standard jobs with nobody to query him.
Summary of Chapters
Introduction: Outlines the historical context of governance challenges in Ghana and Nigeria, highlighting the correlation between corruption and the failure to implement national budgets.
Hypothesis: Proposes that while developing countries often produce comprehensive budgets, the implementation process is subverted by inner cabals and a lack of effective cost auditing.
Methodology: Details the research approach, which relies on data collection from national budgets, comparative statistics, and analysis of publications to measure the implementation gap.
History of Budgets: Traces the etymological and historical evolution of budgeting systems, originating from early 18th-century financial management practices.
Theoretical framework: Applies Stewardship Theory and the Theory of Class Struggle to explain the behavioral patterns of executives and the power dynamics behind budget distortions.
Reasons for the Gap: Provides a comprehensive analysis of the factors hindering budget execution, including political interference, corruption, padding, and inadequate oversight.
Graphic measurements of welfare as an indicator of Human Development in Nigeria: 2006-2015: Presents data showing a stagnation in citizen welfare despite a significant increase in annual budget allocations.
Insecurity and crime as a consequence of poverty: Argues that the failure to implement welfare-oriented budgets directly fuels insecurity, violence, and criminal activities among the populace.
Recommendations: Proposes practical reforms, including salary reductions for top officials, enhanced independent monitoring, and the establishment of dedicated judicial processes for corruption cases.
Conclusion: Summarizes the findings and emphasizes the urgent need for consistent efforts to practice the recommended reforms to foster economic development.
Keywords
Developing countries, Nigeria, Ghana, Budget, Policing, Corruption, Monitoring, Implementation, Law enforcement agencies, Stewardship Theory, Class Struggle, Governance, Poverty, Economic development, Financial control
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research?
This work focuses on the disparity between approved national budgets and their actual implementation in Ghana and Nigeria, highlighting how this gap contributes to prolonged underdevelopment.
What are the primary themes discussed in the book?
The central themes include the mechanics of budget padding, the impact of political corruption, the failure of oversight mechanisms, and the link between economic mismanagement and national insecurity.
What is the main objective of the author?
The primary objective is to identify the causative factors behind budget failure and to formulate actionable recommendations that improve transparency and accountability in the budget implementation process.
Which scientific methods are utilized in the study?
The study employs a qualitative methodology involving the analysis of national budget data, comparative performance metrics, and the application of political and management theories to current governance practices.
What topics are covered in the main body of the work?
The main body covers the theoretical frameworks of stewardship and class struggle, a detailed breakdown of 17 specific reasons for the budget-implementation gap, and quantitative data analysis regarding welfare and human development in Nigeria.
Which keywords best describe this work?
Key terms include budget implementation, policing, corruption, Nigeria, Ghana, stewardship theory, and economic development.
How does "budget padding" contribute to the implementation gap?
Budget padding involves the inclusion of extraneous or duplicated items for fraudulent purposes, which siphons public funds away from intended infrastructure and service delivery projects.
What role do anti-corruption agencies play according to the author?
The author argues that these agencies have not done enough and should be empowered to participate directly in the monitoring and auditing processes from the moment a budget is approved until its final execution.
What does the author suggest about the salaries of government officials?
The author suggests that the salaries and emoluments of top government officials and legislators in Nigeria and Ghana are excessively high and should be drastically reduced to provide resources for productive sectors like agriculture and manufacturing.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Frederick Omoyoma Odorige (Autor:in), 2017, Policing the Gaps between Budgets and Implementation in Developing Economies. The Impediments to Welfare and Security in Ghana and Nigeria, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/379444
