"The impact of the current push for open data and open government should be seen as a breakthrough, but its impact will be context specific and dependent on the prevailing relationships.  Finding ways to encourage positive relationships, rather than imposing a technical ‘us against them’ understanding of accountability can work for lasting change in the rules of the game for poor people."

Dr. Fletcher Tembo, Director of the Mwananchi Programme, argues that we must take account of local relationships to build strong and lasting accountability, and to use data and information to enable poor people to hold duty-bearers accountable for the quality of local services.

Read the full blog here.