ASSESSMENT OF NGOs ACCOUNTABILITY TO THEIR STAKEHOLDERS IN ETHIOPIA: A CASE OF INGOS OPERATING IN THE HEALTH SECTOR

Abstract

Concerns about NGOs accountability to their stakeholders have increased in the last two decades as a result of the increase in their prominence and influence around the whole world. The main objective of the study is to assess NGOs accountability to their stakeholders with particular emphasis on INGOs operating in the health sector in Ethiopia and suggest ways of improving their accountability in all dimensions. Thus, the research explores INGOs’ accountability practices; how they make themselves accountable to their stakeholders; to whom they are accountable in their day to day operation and finds out the challenges and problems faced by INGOs to promote accountability in their overall operations. The study employs an explorative approach and uses non-probability method and a purposive sampling strategy. The research used structured questionnaire along with semi-structured interviews with open and closed ended questions to collect quantitative and qualitative data in an attempt to answer the research questions. Accordingly, Fifteen INGOs are selected representing One hundred twenty two INGOs operating in the Health Sector in Ethiopia and their experience regarding accountability is explored. The findings show that there is higher tendency of accountability of INGOs to their donors and the government and a lower tendency of accountability to their other stakeholders. The study has also shown that Disclosure statements & reports and evaluation of performance are relatively strong mechanisms of accountability and basically serve upward accountability. The study has also identified the challenges and Problems faced by the INGOs in promoting and ensuring accountability in their day to day operations. The study suggests a number of recommendations including designing an accountability policy framework, building the capacity of INGOs, improving partnership between INGOs and their stakeholders and enforcing self-regulation mechanisms through external assessment and certification