Dissertation (MA Public Administration)This study aimed to analyse the challenges and prospects of the implementation of Open Performance Review and Appraisal system in Handeni District Council. The specific objectives were to determine the level of awareness of OPRAS among employees, to assess the extent to which the council implements OPRAS, to investigate the challenges of the implementation of OPRAS and to determine the some ways to improve the implementation of OPRAS at Handeni District Council. Cross-sectional survey design was employed to undertake the research. The sample of 100 employees as respondents was being selected randomly. Data were collected using interview and documentary review and SPSS version 16 was used in the course of data analysis. The findings revealed that, more than 70% of employees were not aware of OPRAS; this was due to inadequate training to the employees on the tool, poor prioritization, lack of commitment and seriousness of the management on the importance of the tool, poor communication between supervisors and their subordinates, and lack of realistic plan and employees‟ participation. Despite the good intention of the Government to introduce OPRAS to LGAs yet the implementation of the system has been slow and in some cases unsuccessful. The study recommended that, the council should make sure that OPRAS is adapted by employees and the assessment process is carried out accordingly. The central government should ensure the availability of adequate human and financial resources to be able to achieve the intended objectives. Awareness creation is also very important in conscientizing the people to demand service and accountability. This could be achieved if the government and other nongovernmental organizations and other interested groups mout campaign to educate people on the right to access public services in specified time-frame as well as their entitlement to a quality and timeliness service.