The Voice of the People Compromised and Accountability Denied

Abstract

The study examines the impact of determinants of democratic governance on political rights and public policy in the sub-Saharan African countries. The study follows the quantitative research tradition using a linear regression model. Together with one trend variable, seven independent variables representing determinants of governance, as well as one dependent variable (political rights/the voice of the people), have been applied into the equation. The computation yielded statistical results that could guide meaningful analysis about the theme under study. The study shows that the lack of democratic governance has negatively affected the status of political rights, and human rights as well as accountability. Thus, the voice of the people in matters that influence public policy has been constrained in the 32 sub-Saharan African countries.