The Africa Governance Report affected by their decisions so that the latter can, through participation, make their views known and influence the substance of the said decisions and actions. Effective participation requires access to information and transparency so that the public can see whether and how their contributions have been considered. Many African countries now appreciate the significance of public participation and access to information and have enacted freedom of information laws that give individuals the right of access to information held by government. Local government structures are also used in many countries as a means to boost citizen participation. Unfortunately, citizen participation, in some cases, is still being hindered by lack of transparent procedures, poverty, discrimination and the absence of feedback from government agencies. Best practice in public participation can be seen in the functioning of the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM). This Mechanism requires participating states to establish national structures to administer the peer review process. National Governing Councils (NGCs) play a major role in this respect. NGCs facilitate broad-based stakeholder participation in national governance discourse. Africa also needs to enhance youth participation in governance. Member states are therefore encouraged to, as a priority, sign, ratify and implement the 2006 African Youth Charter. 4.4.4 Accountability of the Executive The practice of democracy requires mechanisms for holding government accountable for the exercise of the powers of decision making and executive action that the people delegate to it. Periodic elections, which give the people the opportunity to confirm or change its representatives from time to time, are one such mechanism. However, these elections do not often offer the electorate an adequate degree of oversight over government. There is need therefore for additional mechanisms to facilitate the day-to-day accountability of the executive. Most countries in Africa practice a form of multiparty democracy. Term limits are specified in many constitutions, leading to regular elections and reasonably peaceful changes of power through those elections. Unfortunately, the executive is often all powerful despite implementation of democratic and constitutional reforms. Many executives do not have any restraint on their use of power to control resources and appoint key state functionaries. This has allowed executive control over electoral processes and use of public resources either for patronage or withdrawal of benefits. Worse still, in many countries, the electoral system is seen as an instrument for inclusion and/or exclusion in the sharing of national resources. Many of these States have continued to harass the opposition and impose tough restrictions on non-State media. Attempts at manipulation of electoral results are common, incumbents enjoy undue advantages, and elections often generate open conflict. 4.4.5 Effectiveness and Accountability of the Public Service The bureaucracy does not always act in the public interest, especially in situations where self-serving and corruption are prevalent. There is therefore need for mechanisms to ensure Page 49 of 96