Accountability and Transparency in Nation Building: A COVID-19 Experience in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

The manifest mistrust between the government and the governed necessitated this study to examine the relationship between accountability and transparency on nation-building, using covid-19 experience as a yardstick. A survey research design was employed in the study. The population of the study consisted of 1174 employees of 5 ministries in Anambra State and the sample size was 298 using Taro Yamani formula. Questionnaire was used in collecting data. The instrument was subjected to face and content validity and was further tested for internal consistency using Cronbach Alpha and an average result obtained was 0.984. Data were analysed using Regression Analysis at 5% level of significance. Findings showed that there is a statistically significant relationship existing between full disclosure and citizens improved trust (r = .984, R2 = .899, F =1874.010, p-value < 0.05), that there is a statistically significant relationship existing between impact reporting and citizens buy-in (r = .947, R2 = .897, F = 1842.355 p-value < 0.05). Consequently, the study concluded that there would be no trust issues between both parties if full disclosure and impact reporting have been the hallmark of government in the past. Therefore, the study recommended among other things that Anambra State Anti-corruption Strategy (ANSACS) as a provider of holistic framework and foundation for a system-driven approach towards the fight against corruption, accountability and transparency needs to do all it can to encourage various government ministries and agency to engage more in full disclosure and impact reporting.