An investigation into the effectiveness of the decentralisation process as a means of integrating staff into Regional Councils: A case study of Ohangwena Regional Council.

Abstract

The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of decentralisation as a means to integrate central government seconded staff into Ohangwena Regional Council. The study highlights the knowledge of decentralisation in Ohangwena Regional Council, the delegated education diVice Chancellorate and maintenance section; the planning and co-ordination of the two delegated function’s activities between a regional council and delegating line ministries, the management of central government seconded staff in terms of induction, training and recruitment, the readiness of Ohangwena Regional Council for devolution and the level of integration of central government seconded staff in Ohangwena Regional Council. The main findings of the study are that central government seconded staff are not well integrated into Ohangwena Regional Council. The level of integration is found to be moderate. This study reveals that there are several challenges that contribute to this low level of integration .The lack of capacity in the decentralisation policy at operational level comes out as one of the key contributing factors. This study argues that the Ministry of Regional and Local Government Housing and Rural Development provided training on decentralisation at the beginning of the decentralisation program and is currently focusing on conducting sensitisation workshops to ensure that the decentralisation policy is understood well by all, especially at sub-national government as the key implementer. This study will then serve as a source document for key stakeholders to the decentralisation process in addressing key issues impacting on the effective integration of central government seconded staff in regional councils.