afrol News, 6 October - As part of broadening African governance index and attaching ownership to research process, Mo Ibrahim Foundation has today announced next steps, starting next year, which will enage African institutions in various aspects of compilation of index.

"The Foundation is seeking to give African institutions the opportunity to ensure that data about the governance of each African country is as robust and comprehensive as possible," said foundation's board today in Addis Ababa.

Board explained that majority of work behind Ibrahim Index will be transfer to selected African institutions over the coming years, saying it envisaged these steps will both improve quality of data in the Index and entrench continent’s ownership of the project. "There are currently many difficulties involved in the collection and availability of data in sub-Saharan Africa, and this means that the production of any rigorous statistical analysis throws up considerable challenges. Today’s announcement demonstrates the continuing determination of the Foundation to enhance and support the quality of that research," said board in a statement.

The second edition of Ibrahim Index of African Governance, launched today, has been prepared by Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, to which board acknowledged and appreciated work done, adding the Foundation respects academic integrity of team at Harvard and has chosen not to interfere in construction of Ibrahim Index, beyond providing advice and perspectives.

"Comprehensive assessment of governance performance is, by definition, a work in progress that must evolve to take into account the economic and social transformations taking place on the African continent," said the board.

It continued to explain that data in 2008 index is result of use of established sources and in-country research, adding that any study of this size, with its complex set of data, some parts of it could throw up results which are surprising and will be challenged.

The board further said index was a living tool that will incorporate feedback and critiques from various stakeholders and continue to develop and improve.

“The mission of the foundation is to improve governance in Africa. Giving African civil society the tools and the data to hold their governments to account is a key part of that. We are continually striving to improve our data regarding African governance. Having African institutions eventually leading that task will help this African foundation meet its objectives,” Dr Mo Ibrahim said.

By staff writer

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