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Cllr Richard Kemp describes his recent trip to Nigeria, where he was hosting a meeting of the mayors of capital cities and presidents of local government associations throughout Africa. I have always thought that it's difficult to know how to describe what a councillor actually does. The public perception is, of course, of politicians arguing. But that has always taken a very small proportion of my time, even in a highly-political council such as Liverpool. However, even I had to take a reality check when I found myself in a big black car surrounded by police motorcycles with the former president of Ghana, Jerry Rawlins, going to visit the acting president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan. The reason that I was in Nigeria in the first place was to host a meeting of the mayors of capital cities and presidents of local government associations throughout Africa. There had been a falling-out inside Africa, with French, English and Portugese-speaking countries trying to establish separate Africa-wide organisations. That was not good for them, the relationships with important African and international organisations, or the people they serve. As a councillor, I believe strongly that good local government is vital for the delivery of good services to people inside their own communities. Nationally, I am pressing the UK government to provide more aid direct to local government, where a series of small but significant programmes can be established. I believe that in the long term, that is a far more effective use of taxpayers' money than the grandiose schemes which the UK Government and donors often splash out on. Hosting this conference was my own commitment to trying to help this process. The conference was judged to be a success. The people causing the most trouble didn't attend, and so are now out of it. New leadership has been provided by mayors and presidents from across the continent. All parts of Africa, all religions and all languages are now well represented, with the exception of a small continued boycott from southern Africa. I was particularly pleased the new vice president for the Southern African region is the mayor of Harare, so Zimbabwe is making a welcome return to international activity. I believe this new leadership will be able to overcome difficulties and present a united face to central and international governments. That unity will allow participants to take more of the money being offered and to use it well for schools, water, sanitation, housing and all the other things which are so desperately needed. Sometimes, I am asked whether it is right for councillors to be involved in such activity. I believe only councillors can really help other councillors. We have a mutual respect for each other and the work that we do which transcends party or geographic bounds. We certainly get many requests for help from other local government associations abroad, and have recently completed a ‘peer review' of the South African Local Government Association. I believe Liverpool benefits as well. Of course, I am always introduced as being from Liverpool. Before going to Nigeria I made contacts with people of Nigerian descent who live in Liverpool, so I could understand things better, and try to create enhanced links. It can do my city no harm to be seen as a goodwill ambassador from the UK to Africa. Africa comprises about 15% of the world's population and it is growing in importance. ‘Abroad' starts on our doorstep. Neither the UK nor Liverpool can stand alone from a world which is increasingly interactive and inter-connected. I think I played my part in bringing the UK and the rest of the world just a little bit closer. Richard Kemp is deputy chair and leader of the Liberal Democrat group at the LGA, and a Liverpool councillor.

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WHITEHALL

What's new out of Africa?

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