TOPIC THREE

The Roles and Functions of Public

Administration
 An Overview
• In African countries the public administration
was weak at the time of independence.

• The impact of colonialism on public

administration in Africa is indeed significant
and has contributed to various weaknesses in
governance systems across the continent.
Here are some key points:
 What are the weaknesses?
• Inherited Colonial Structures: These
structures often prioritized centralized control
and exploitation of resources, leading to
inefficiencies and corruption.
• Underdeveloped Institutions: Many African
countries struggled to establish robust public
administration frameworks capable of
meeting the needs of diverse and rapidly
growing populations
 What are the weaknesses?
• Limited Local Participation: This lack of participation and
representation in public administration continued post-
independence, contributing to governance challenges and a
disconnect between governments and their citizens.

• Colonial Ideology: often perpetuated notions of racial

superiority and paternalism, which shaped administrative
practices and policies. This led to discriminatory practices,
unequal distribution of resources, and the reinforcement of
power imbalances within
 What are the weaknesses?
• Legacy of Dependency: Colonial
administrations often left behind economies
that were heavily dependency on external
markets. This dependence has hindered
efforts to diversify economies and build self-
sustaining governance systems.
FUNCTIONS OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

The traditional functions

 Encompass a range of activities aimed at
facilitating the effective functioning of
government and serving the needs of society.
 Strict adherence to laid down rigid rules and
hierarchy, public servicers is considered to be
an exclusive task performed by the government
and insists on centralized strategy.
 The traditional functions

• Policy Formulation: Developing policies to address

societal needs and challenges based on research,
analysis, and consultation.
• Implementation: Translating policies into concrete
actions, allocating resources, and coordinating
activities across government agencies.
• Promote general welfare of the society: delivering
essential services such as education, healthcare,
and public safety efficiently and equitably.
 The traditional functions
Maintaining Internal order and External
Security :

Is the one which is equipped to protect a nation against

internal disorder and foreign attacks.
Employs police, prisons, and courts in its attempts to
protect people, property, rights
 The traditional functions
Regulation and Enforcement: Regulating various
sectors to protect the public interest and ensure
compliance with laws and regulations through
permits, inspections, and enforcement .
Examples of institutions established to regulate
affairs in Tanzania include

SUMATRA –surface and marine

◦ TFDA-Food and Drugs
◦ TBS -Standards
 The traditional functions
• Resource Management: Managing government
resources, including finances, personnel, and
infrastructure, through budgeting, procurement,
and human resource management.

• Interagency Coordination: Coordinating efforts

across government agencies and levels to address
complex challenges and deliver integrated services
 Modern or Development-Oriented Functions:

• Development Administration must contain the

following points.
• It should reject status quo and be directed towards
change and more so towards results.
• Innovation. It is dynamic in approach and
encourages new and better ways to achieve
objectives.
• It is people-centered, must empower society as a
whole.
 Modern or Development-Oriented
Functions:
• The modern functions reflect a broader
understanding of the role of public
administration in promoting development,
addressing complex challenges, and fostering
inclusive and sustainable societies.
 Modern or Development-Oriented
Functions:
• Capacity Building: Developing the skills,
knowledge, and capabilities of government
officials and institutions to effectively
implement policies and programs.

• Innovation and Technology Adoption:

Harnessing technology and innovative practices
to improve service delivery, enhance efficiency,
and promote transparency and accountability.
 Modern or Development-Oriented
Functions:
• Sustainability and Environmental
Management: Integrating environmental
considerations into decision-making processes
and promoting sustainable development
practices.
 Modern or Development-Oriented
Functions:

• Social Inclusion and Equity: Ensuring that policies and programs are
designed and implemented in a manner that promotes social
inclusion, reduces inequality, and addresses the needs of
marginalized and vulnerable populations.

• Conflict Resolution and Peace building: Facilitating dialogue,

mediation, and reconciliation processes to address conflicts and
build peace within communities and across regions.

• Evidence-Based Policy Making: Using data, research, and evaluation

to inform policy decisions and measure the impact of interventions,
promoting a more evidence-based approach to governance.
CONTROL OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• The control of public administration is essential, here are
several reasons why control mechanisms are necessary;
• Accountability: Control mechanisms hold public officials
accountable for their actions and decisions.

• Transparency: Control mechanisms promote transparency

by requiring public administrators to disclose information
about their activities, decisions, and use of resources. This
transparency helps build public trust and confidence in
government institutions and reduces the risk of corruption
and misuse of power.
• Prevention of Abuse of Power: Control mechanisms serve as
safeguards against the abuse of power by public officials. By
establishing checks and balances, oversight mechanisms
prevent individuals or agencies from exceeding their authority,
engaging in corrupt practices, or violating the rights of citizens.
• Efficiency and Effectiveness: Control mechanisms help ensure
that public resources are used efficiently and effectively to
achieve desired outcomes. By monitoring performance,
evaluating results, and identifying areas for improvement,
control mechanisms help optimize government operations and
service delivery.
• The mechanisms can be categorized as internal and external controls
Internal Control

• Organizational Structure -
• Departmentalization -are sections of the structure divided into
functional divisions relevant to specific tasks
• Distribution of Authority-determines if decision-making authority is
concentrated or shared and distributed throughout a variety of
departments.
Code of ethics and conduct
◦ It enables public servants to deliver quality services to the
people of Tanzania.
 NOTE: Each profession has its own code of ethics.
 code of ethics for teachers,
 medical professionals
They are all called ‘administrative ethics in public administration’
 Code of Ethics and Conduct for the Public
Service in Tanzania
• Respect human rights
• Discipline and diligence
• Team work
• Pursuing of excellence in service
• Exercise responsibility
• Transparency and accountability
• Discharge duties with integrity
• Political neutrality
 Internal Control
• Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Public
administrators must ensure compliance with
laws, regulations, and policies governing
government operations.
• Internal controls is designed to prevent and
detect violations, such as misuse of public
funds, conflicts of interest, and non-
compliance with procurement regulations.
 External Control
• Legislature
– Examples
• Interpellation- Questions and answers sessions to the Ministers by
the PM.

• Audit and report –CAG who audit all government account annually
and report the financial transaction of the government to the
legislature
• Judiciary
– Examples
• Judicial review of administrative actions
(employee termination)
• Labour court
 External Control
• The constitution and other laws
– The constitution govern the actions of public
administrators by declaring the rights and
obligations of every citizens
– Example
• Rights to work, right to equality, right to life and
freedom of expression, article 22, 12&13, 14 and 18 of
URT constitution respectively
 External Control
Media, political parties, pressure
groups and civil societies
◦ These can control the conduct a
◦ nd behavior in public administration.
◦ They can interfere, question and pressurize the
government for the benefit of the public.
• International organizations and NGOs
• Amnesty international
 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

• The principles of public administration provide

a framework for effective and ethical
governance in the public sector. While specific
principles may vary slightly depending on
context and interpretation, here are some
commonly recognized principles
 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• Rule of Law: Public administrators must uphold the rule of
law, ensuring that government actions are consistent with
legal norms, procedures, and principles. This principle
emphasizes accountability, predictability, and fairness in
government decision-making.
• Transparency: Public administration should operate with
transparency, openness, and accountability to the public.
This includes providing access to information, decision-
making processes, and public records, promoting trust
and confidence in government institutions
 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• Accountability: Public administrators are accountable for
their actions, decisions, and use of resources to elected
officials, oversight bodies, and the public. Accountability
mechanisms should be in place to ensure that public
officials are held responsible for their conduct and
performance.
• Efficiency: Public administration should strive for efficiency
and effectiveness in the use of resources to achieve
organizational objectives and deliver public services. This
principle emphasizes the importance of optimizing
processes, minimizing waste, and maximizing outcomes.
 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• Citizen Participation: Public administration should engage citizens in
decision-making processes, policy development, and service
delivery, fostering inclusive governance and democratic
participation. This principle emphasizes the importance of listening
to diverse perspectives, soliciting feedback, and involving
stakeholders in public affairs.

• Strategic Planning and Performance Management: Public

administrators should engage in strategic planning, performance
measurement, and evaluation to ensure that government activities
are aligned with organizational goals and priorities. This principle
emphasizes the importance of setting clear objectives, monitoring
progress, and adapting strategies based on evidence and feedback.
 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• Equity and Fairness: Public administrators should treat all
individuals and groups fairly and impartially, without
discrimination or favoritism. This principle emphasizes equity
in the distribution of resources and services, ensuring that
government actions promote social justice and equal
opportunities for all.

• Professionalism: Public administrators should adhere to high

standards of professionalism, competence, and ethical
conduct in their roles. This includes maintaining integrity,
honesty, and impartiality, as well as continuing professional
development and adherence to codes of ethics.
 PRINCIPLES OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION
• Service Orientation: Public administration should be focused
on serving the public interest and meeting the needs of
citizens. This principle emphasizes customer service,
responsiveness, and continuous improvement in delivering
quality public services.

• Innovation and Adaptability: Public administration should be

innovative, adaptive, and responsive to changing societal
needs, technological advancements, and environmental
factors. This principle emphasizes the importance of creativity,
flexibility, and learning in improving governance and service
delivery.