STRENGTHENING CORPORATE GOVERNANCE: HARNESSING ELEMENTS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

Responsibility and accountability are opposite phases in organisational performance. While accountability resolves the question of the authority in the chain of command to whom individuals and units are accountable, responsibility relates to the activities and performance standards for which they are responsible. The responsibility-accountability framework is
designed to help deliver improvements in stakeholder outcomes and expectations, enhance organisational performance, strengthen the relationship with all stakeholders, and provide for more efficient and effective operations. The issue of governance, whether in the public or private sector, therefore revolves around the requirement for responsibility for defined standards, and accountability for the attainment of those standards. Strengthening the accountability chain therefore, requires a robust accountability culture that addresses concerns over the governance framework covering need for a strong strategy formulation process, inclusiveness of views and voices of all stakeholders, and results and development effectiveness.