The role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in enhancing transparency is fully recognized as shown in a number of important policy papers including the Constitution and the national framework on good governance. The National Framework for Good governance for example recognizes CSOs as constituting a strong instrument for the effective participation and involvement of people in decision-making. It is further stated that CSOs have a crucial role in informing and sensitizing the people on transparency. However, the challenge lies in the actual implementation of these stated principles and this has affected the realization of transparency in the country.
Public Money Accountability is just one dimension of the accountability framework that underpins our constitution. In ensuring public money accountability, two aspects are regarded here. Firstly, CSOs as watchdogs. The concern is to ensure that regardless of what public money is spent on, or which bodies are spending it, it is spent properly with due regard to value for money, hence the focus is on financial accountability. Secondly, CSOs as an accountability instrument, because CSOs accountability is nowadays both a necessity and a duty. The question still remains have CSOs done enough. Are the principles simply theoretical rather than practical?