GOLD Report I - UCLG

47V. ConclusionThis overall picture of decentralization andlocal democracy in African countries showssignificant progress at the strictly institutionallevel. No country now publicly opposesthe implementation of decentralizationpolicies. Local governments exist in allcountries, and elections are held to electlocal authoritiesNot only are there more local governmentscovering ever-increasing areas, but thequalitative development of decentralizationcan also be observed in the form of moreself-government and progress toward localdemocracy in more African nations. Thistrend is accompanied by an unprecedentedincrease in the responsibilities of localgovernments throughout most of the continent.The extent of such progress must, however,be set against a number of persistentobstacles that continue to hinder a realprogression of decentralization in Africa.Difficulties remain within states concerningthe transfer of financial resources neededto match the devolved responsibilities.Local governments also face difficulties inincreasing their own resources (aside fromstate-transfers and grants) at a fasterpace. Ensuring the availability of qualifiedhuman resources at the local level andimproving public access to local servicesare also fundamental issues of concern.Tangible progress needs to be made in twokey areas: the transfer of responsibilities,with adequate human and financial resources,and entrenching a culture of citizenparticipation, transparency and accountability.These areas of complicated yet indispensablereform are crucial for progress tobe sustained, and for its inherent democratizingideas to take root. To this end it isessential that all involved parties continueto mobilize high-level political commitmentat both national and Pan-African levels.