"Competence, Integrity, and Accountability: The Pillars of Effective Governance"
The right person for the right job. When you want results, nothing matters more than competence, integrity and ability to translate vision into action. Sumana Shrestha proves this point. In politics, while ministerial positions are negotiated against various parameters, never the right ones, it comes as a sense of relief that we have one minister who understands the grave opportunity costs of nonperformance.
At a time, when the country is feeling a sense of anguish that persists mostly in the confines of homes and offices, political leadership across parties is focused on defamation and political smearing of opposition. Corruption continues unabated but who is listening? And what does it matter? Political leaders have developed strong immunity to moral reputation. Going to jail is like visiting the grocery store. It doesn’t matter that you are a representative of the people, you are in position because people entrusted you with their votes, it doesn’t matter that you don’t deserve to be in the position because you lack the relevant skillsets and capacity required to lead a ministry, nor do you have an urge to understand the complexities of the work involved. An outmoded bureaucratic system is no help either.
A generalist approach to highly sensitive issues will irreversibly affect the economy, security and national politics. Neglected focus and bad governance are already hurting the economy in multiple ways. We are at a point in time where we cannot afford ineptitude in leadership ability, effective governance and efficient civil service delivery.
But I also strongly believe that a government in power is a true reflection of its people; they are the ones to vote them into government, and thus they are the ones who can either celebrate their choices or suffer the consequences. National and social development is hugely dependent on how citizens think and how governments create policy. Aware, informed and participatory citizens question their leaders, demand reforms and action, and help create a roadmap for shared prosperity.
