The Connection between Good Governance and Record Keeping: The Sierra Leone Experience

Abstract

This article discusses the relationship between good governance and proper record keeping for sustainable development in Sierra Leone. Both good governance and proper record keeping are viewed as pillars of development and as promoting democracy in Sierra Leone. The article discusses the link between good governance and proper record keeping, the state of record keeping in the country and the need for the provision of a public or national records management policy framework if records are to be used as the basis to promote good governance. The article ends with a call on government functionaries and stakeholders in records management to reflect and act so that democratic values like trust, accountability, probity and transparency might be maintained.

Notes

[1] Kpundeh, “Significance of Good Governance.”

[2] Commonwealth Secretariat, Better Information Practices.

[3] For example, Woods, “Good Governance in International Organisations”; Weiss, “Governance”; Page, Achieving 100% Compliance; Bailey, Records and Information Management.

[4] Bohn, “Corporate Governance.”

[5] Lipchak, Information Management.

[6] Kamara, The History.

[7] UNDP, Re-conceptualizing Governance.

[8] Commonwealth Secretariat, Better Information Practices.

[9] Thurston, “Project Proposal.”

[10] Roper, Strategic Planning.

[11] Commonwealth Secretariat, Better Information Practices.

[12] Kamara, The History.

[13] Amara, “Transparency and Accountability.”

[14] Sierra Leone Ministry of Development and Economic Planning, “Survey Findings.”

[15] Saffady, Records and Information Management.

[16] Twining and Varnden, Legal Records in the Commonwealth.

[17] European Centre for Development Policy Management, “Capacity and Cooperation.”

[18] Commonwealth Secretariat, Better Information Practices; Saffady, Records and Information Management.

[19] Sierra Leone Ministry of Development and Economic Planning, “Survey Findings.”

[20] Saffady, Records and Information Management.

[21] Bradsher, Managing Archives, 4.

[22] United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone, “Consolidating peace.”

[23] Sierra Leone Executive Council Minutes, “Employment of a Special Clerk,” 56.

[24] Sierra Leone Colonial Secretary's Office, “CSO minute paper,” 3.

[25] Bell, Organisation of National Archives.

[26] The history of record keeping in Sierra Leone is also covered in the author's previous article for this Journal; see Kargbo, “Archives Management.”

[27] Amara, “Transparency and Accountability.”

[28] Kamara, The History; Kpundeh, “Significance of Good Governance.”

[29] Sierra Leone Ministry of Development and Economic Planning, “Srvvey Findings.”