Tracing the Local Government Reforms for Development: A Difference Made?

Abstract

The recognition that participation is a crucial strategy for development has been in the heart of the Tanzanian Government since  independent in 1961. However, despite a strong recognition to make participation a reality, the government efforts have often ended  with little or no success. The Local Government Reform which is guided by the policy of Decentralization by Devolution (DbyD) could be  seen as government attempt to correct the  revious mistakes in making participation a reality. Through the Local Government Reform,  there has been serious government attempt to change the previous top down planning process to bottom up. This attempt has also included the introduction of a planning tool known as Opportunity and Obstacles to Development (O&OD). O&OD is a multi-sectoral  participatory  community planning tool that has been introduced to empower the people on the basis of bottom up planning approach  and positive thinking. This paper attempts to show, how the current government efforts through local government reform is designed  and institutionalised to facilitate participation for local  development, and to what extent has this been a reality.