Assessment of Accountability and Transparency Practices in Rural Land Administration: The Case of Enebsie-Sar-Midir District in East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study attempted to assess accountability and transparency practices in rural land administration system at Enebsie-sar-midir district of East Gojjam Zone, Amhara region. The purpose of this study is to investigate accountability, transparency in practice and its challenges .Because the application of good governance principles in land administration leads to good land administration system and ultimately accomplishes sustainable land governance in rural society. In order to achieve the research objective both qualitative and quantitative approaches with sequential exploratory design were employed. Besides, the study employed the data which were collected from key informant interview, semi-structured interview, focus group discussion, questionnaire, and document review. In line with this, through purposive sampling and simple random sampling (by using lottery method) 193 household heads were selected as well as thematic and descriptive statistical analyses were
undertaken. The study found that weak down ward and upward accountability mechanism, no proper complain handling procedures, poor transparency of information, and low service delivery in the study area. Correspondingly, Corruption, legislation gaps, inadequate institutional capacity, absence of coordination from stakeholders, low incentives, and training were the challenges which impeded the overall practice of good governance principles in the rural land sector Thus, weak land governance exists in the study area. So as to tackle the aforementioned problem, the researcher recommends that the district land institution needs to improve accountability, transparency, provide effective service delivery, develop means of motivation, collaboration with various stakeholders, and the regional council should revise ambiguous land legislation.