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Improving the Effectiveness of the Public Sector in Africa through the Quality of Public Administration

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Rethinking Development Challenges for Public Policy

Part of the book series: International Political Economy Series ((IPES))

Abstract

Even though the role of the state in development in Africa has been downplayed for decades, a paradigmatic shift and a rediscovery of the importance of the state in the development process and the need for a more capable public sector occurred in the 1990s. The relevance of the state or the public sector to socio-economic development in Africa cannot be underestimated. This was re-echoed in the 1997 World Development Report which argued that ‘an effective state is vital for the provision of the goods and services — and the rules and institutions — that allow markets to flourish and the people to lead healthier, happier lives. Without it, sustainable development, both economic and social, is impossible’ (World Bank, 1997: 1).

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© 2012 Joseph R. A. Ayee

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Ayee, J.R.A. (2012). Improving the Effectiveness of the Public Sector in Africa through the Quality of Public Administration. In: Hanson, K.T., Kararach, G., Shaw, T.M. (eds) Rethinking Development Challenges for Public Policy. International Political Economy Series. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9780230393271_4

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