By Seleoe Nonyane
The ministry of finance and development planning is inviting the public to participate in the 2024/2025 pre-budget consultations.
In a recent statement, the ministry said the objective of the consultations is to enhance transparency, participation, and oversight in the budget management process.
This will in turn support the implementation of a public participation or citizens engagement policy within the national budget cycle.
The pre-budget consultation also aims to enrich the national budget process with inputs from non-government stakeholders, and other relevant sectors towards better alignment of National Strategic Development Plan with citizens’ needs and concerns.
The initiative further seeks to improve government practice on public participation and closing the feedback loop on the budget process increased government responsiveness and public accountability.
“The ministry of finance and development planning is asking the public’s views on Lesotho’s budget process for 2024/25 budget formulation on what improvements can be made to the budget to deal with the challenge of long-term fiscal sustainability,” the statement noted.
The ministry said it expects stakeholders to give their opinions on what Lesotho’s finance key priorities should be in light of limited resources.
It also asked them to identify the three main priorities that could be put in the budget.
“The ministry will accept written submissions on the topics and will host a one-day public consultation meeting to discuss the ideas put forward,” the statement added.
