Benin report - Institut Africain de la Gouvernance

CHAPTER SEVEN: CROSSCUTTING ISSUES__________________________________________________________________________968. The second instrument is the PRSP, which highlights the objectives andcommitments of the Beninese government with regard to the growth anddevelopment of the country in the short and medium terms. Finally, the thirdinstrument is the document on the strategic development orientations of Benin(2006-2011), entitled Emerging Benin, which best translates the vision ofPresident Boni Yayi and his government in this endeavour.969. The implementation of these projects will result in the realisation of a series ofreforms first initiated a few years ago. However, although these reforms givethe impression of a country that is open to change and modernisation, they donot always take into account the scope of change needed, or the concreteachievements that could be used to determine whether the reforms weresuccessful.970. A first group of reforms aims at modernising government in the strict sense ofthe word, with the ultimate objective of furthering democracy. Special focusfalls on improving the effectiveness and efficiency of public services,particularly with regard to the mechanisms of governance and accounting.These reforms concern the organisation of a state that wants to be a„facilitator‟, and the redefinition of its missions in this regard. It includesissues such as the judicial system; prison system; public service;administrative and financial decentralisation and deconcentration; the fightagainst corruption; wheeler-dealing; and so forth. In short, this group ofreforms entails the search for efficient performance of public institutions andadministration.971. A second group of reforms concerns the macroeconomic framework, theconduct of economic policies, and the management of development in general.The main objective of these reforms is to stimulate growth with a view to thereduction and eradication of poverty, and to ensure sustainable development.The reforms include the privatisation of state enterprises; stabilisation ofpublic finance; facilitation and transparency of procedures with a view toprotecting private investors; the establishment of an attractive and encouragingtax system; encouraging private initiatives and better organisation of theinformal sector; the strengthening and transparency of economic regulations;the development of infrastructure such as roads, ports, electricity,telecommunication, ICTs, and so forth; modernisation and structuring socialservices, notably transport; and the restructuring, rehabilitation anddiversification of the agricultural sector.972. A third group of reforms is targeted at the society in its multiple components,and relates to public policies and sustainable development. The areasconcerned include education, declared as a social priority; health; housing;employment; salaries; retention of highly qualified executives; involvement ofthe diaspora; agriculture and the land tenure system; and the family andgender.973. The Beninese people have high expectations of these reforms, the mainobjectives of which are: a political governance based on ethics and300