ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY: PREREQUISITE FOR NATION BUILDING

Abstract

This tenet upon which people cohabit across contexts is predicated on the principle of social contract. It is about handling over some salient sovereignty of the general people to few individuals who in turn are expected to fulfill certain obligation as dictated by their office for mutual benefits of all and sundry. This study hereby examines the contribution of accountability and transparency in fostering economic growth and development with a view to ensure nation building. Some of the consequences of unaccountability include poor image, lack of development of the country, Unemployment, Low foreign direct investment, poor leadership, poor maintenance culture of infrastructure, unethical behavior of public officials and weak government institution. The study concludes that for nation to be economic viable, it must guarantee political stability which in turn depends on its ability to imbibe the twin principles of accountability and transparency via adherence to the rule of law that leads to good governance. Thus, gaining and keeping trust should be approached holistically by leadership desirous of promoting development in their domains at the thread of accountability; transparency knit together guarantee their integrity through which the led are continually willing to lend support to complement their efforts at nation building