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271 What should be done to enhance the role of M&E in Governance? In this section, the discussions are centred on what actions should be taken in order to enhance and uphold the role of M&E in governance. Possible suggestions are outlined below. There are many actions that can be undertaken to enhance and uphold the role of M&E in governance. These include but not limited to the following: (a) Design and institutional strengthening of M&E system for public policies and programmes : There is need to incorporate M&E practices into the public policies processes. These perspectives may include; (i) the creation of legal and managerial mechanism, (ii) the implementation of institutional M&E units or public organisations dedicated to monitoring and evaluating the policies, and (iii) the appropriation and use of the M&E system’s results to feedback the policies and programmes. (b) M&E methodologies and practices : Ensure that all national development interventions have the following; (i) evaluation plans, (ii) logical framework, (iii) selection of outcome indicators and goals of public management, (iv) impact evaluation, and (v) design of a management information system. (c) Establishment of M&E systems in ministries : Deliberate policy is needed to encourage the establishment of functional M&E systems in government ministries to improve effectiveness and efficiency, accountability and transparency, responsiveness, equitable and inclusiveness, and achieve evidence-based public policy, informed public decisions, strategies and actions. (d) M&E Capacity building : To ensure functionality and sustainability of the public service M&E system, there is also need to come up with M&E capacity building initiative for public sector, such as; Focus Box 2: The Role of M&E in Governance The key take home message from this section is that the role of M&E in governance revolves around participation, transparency, accountability, responsiveness, effectiveness and efficiency. Below is the summary of M&E roles in governance: 1. Informs citizens, central and local governments; 2. Evidence-based policy; 3. Informed decision-making; 4. Budget planning; 5. National planning; 6. Public feedback; 7. Public spending; 8. Law-making. Focus Box 3: M&E necessary Capacities and Conditions for Governance Just as political will is a critical prerequisite to improving governance, buy-in from key stakeholders is a critical ingredient to successful M&E.