The Speaker of Parliament Anita Among has challenged Parliamentary Budget Offices (PBOs) across Africa to develop a mechanism for incorporating public views into the budget process.
She says that this would ensure that citizens’ perspectives are taken into account in national expenditure decisions, thereby enhancing accountability.
Speaking at the 7th Annual African Network of Parliamentary Budget Offices Conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo, represented by the Parliamentary Commissioner, Solomon Silwany, Among emphasized the crucial role of parliamentary budget offices in guiding national budget processes.
The Speaker noted that these offices analyze priority areas, recommend viable regions for appropriation, and enhance parliamentary oversight on public resource expenditure.
However, Among stressed that these tasks should be performed in conjunction with the populace’s views on the budget process thus advocating for citizen involvement in budget processes to foster accountability and facilitate monitoring of government program implementation, as outlined in the national budget presented by the executive.
Additionally, Among called for increased support for parliamentary budget departments through capacity building, ensuring their competitiveness in effectively fulfilling their roles.
The conference, held from September 15 to 21, 2024, under the theme “The role of PBOs in African Parliaments’ Fiscal Oversight: Contributions to the African Development Agenda 2030,” aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, which promotes inclusive and sustainable development.
By Francis Lubega
16th Sept 2024
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