The Exercise of Decentralized Local Governance Process in Gulomekeda Woreda, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

With the coming to an end of the Cold War period in Africa people became familiar and aware of citizenship rights and obligations. They were better educated and well informed about the existing socio-economic and political conditions of their states and become in need to participate in public affairs but were constrained by the existing structures of governance. As part of the global move, initiation and accreditation of decentralized governance the Ethiopian government had also focused on decentralization of its administration to ensure locally driven development since 1991 in a formal way (Yilmaz &Venugopal, 2008; Abrham, 2011; Tilahun, 2014). The first was decentralization of powers and functions of the state to autonomous regional governments (Tilahun, 2014). However many states like Ethiopia have been witnessed challenged in bringing effective in socioeconomic development. Therefore this research undertaking is made to assess the exercise of local governance in ensuring community participation in Gulomekeda woreda as a focus of study. To come up with the required data pertinent to the research undertaking qualitative research methodology was employed. To select the sample respondents for the research both probability and non probability sampling designs were used. First to select the three sample Kebeles out of the 19 in the woreda the researcher had employed simple random sampling and particularly lottery method. Where as to select key informants and interviewees from different local institutions (Woreda and Kebele council members, woreda officials), and civic associations like (Woreda and Kebele women associations, youth associations at woreda and Kebele levels)   the researcher had employed purposive sampling and particularly judgmental sampling technique. . So that to ensure effective community participation in local governance, political commitment the ruling party, capacity building practices both at woreda and kebele levels are recommended.

Keywords: Gulomekeda woreda, Decentralization, local governance, Kebele