Challenges Which Hinder Citizen Participation in Governance Affairs in Nalusanga Zone, Mumbwa District, Zambia

International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume V, Issue XII, December 2021 | ISSN 2454–6186

Challenges Which Hinder Citizen Participation in Governance Affairs in Nalusanga Zone, Mumbwa District, Zambia

Andrew Nswana and Eunifridah Simuyaba*
The University of Zambia
*Corresponding author

Abstract: This study explored the challenges which hinder citizen participation in governance issues in Nalusanga Zone of Mumbwa District. The major aim of the study was to establish the challenges which hindered citizen participation in governance processes with a view to inform policy direction. A qualitative research approach, anchored on an exploratory research design, was applied to achieve the research purpose. Interview guides and focus group discussions were used as research instruments to explore the research problem on purposively selected individuals. Data which was analysed thematically, revealed recurring themes from the data. The study revealed that citizens faced a number of challenges in governance participation. These included; ignorance, poor distribution of resources, poverty, illiteracy, having ineffective participatory systems and platforms which influenced the participation of the citizens in public governance. Upon establishing a number of challenges that citizens faced in governance affairs, the study made a number of recommendation to counter the stated challenges. Among the main recommendation were the need for the government to provide empowerment funds to the area in order to reduce poverty levels. The need to sensitise members of the public about the importance of citizen participation in national affairs was also recommended. The government was to develop platforms for public participation which are relevant, coordinated and accessible in order for the public to participate in governance and development in a meaningful manner. Finally, there was need to create interactive public consultations in order to improve the quality of participation.

Key words: challenges, citizen, participation, governance, Zambia.

I. INTRODUCTION

This study is an extract from the lead researcher’s master’s dissertation pursued at the University of Zambia. The study concentrated on the challenges which hinder citizens’ participation in Nalusanga zone in Mumbwa district. According to Hirst and Pierre (2000), implementation of the public participation process is important for the democratisation of social values and better planning and fulfillment of public needs. It is also useful for educating the public, especially regarding government development programmes. This will potentially influence social or personal changes amongst community members, which can then be used to incorporate diverse public inter¬ests and thus accord people the right to participate in decisions that will affect their lives.

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