The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) says it welcomes public participation as a key component of fiscal transparency.
Speaking Wednesday, March 20, 2024 at the Fiscal Transparency Advisory Group meeting in Monrovia, USAID- LEAD Chief of Party, George AKI said the two critical pillars of accountable governance are fiscal transparency and public participation.
Public participation, he said, actually serves as both a means and an end to a functional democratic government and plays a critical role in promoting inclusivity in fiscal decision making.
“Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT) defines public participation as the different ways through which the public directly interacts with public authorities in the design, implementation and review of policies,” he said, indicating that it is a fundamental right.
“This can only be achieved through open sharing of information on the part of the government, as government budgets and off-budget fiscal operations have far-reaching-repercussions for economies and societies,” he indicated.
According to him, governments often face significant challenges related to weak institutions and socio-economic disparities. AKI told the gathering that fiscal transparency and public participation are not just aspirations but imperatives for building inclusive, accountable, and prosperous societies.
Madam Raquel Ferreira, Manager of the Global Initiative for Fiscal Transparency (GIFT), said their mission is focused on advancing global norms, promoting peer learning, collaborative assistance, and championing the use of digital tools for sustainable and measurable improvements in fiscal transparency and inclusive participation.
She said GIFT believes wholeheartedly that fiscal transparency transcends mere data disclosure; it serves as a powerful catalyst for positive change within communities and governments alike.
Ferreira stated that countless studies have underscored its ability to empower stakeholders, ensure inclusivity in decision-making processes and foster a climate of trust and accountability.
However, she mentioned that this can only be done by amplifying the voices of marginalized groups; asserting that fiscal openness does not only safeguard public funds but also strengthens the very fabric of society.
“Today, as we convene to chart the course forward, GIFT is proud to reaffirm its commitment to supporting Liberia’s journey toward enhanced fiscal openness,” she said.
Ferreia thanked the USAID Local Empowerment for Accountability and Decentralization (LEAD) project and called for sustained progress within the leadership of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
According to her, at the end of this mission, their shared goal is to craft a 2024 Fiscal Openness Action Plan—a collaborative effort by key stakeholders from within and outside the government.
“Together, we have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in the lives of Liberians. Let us seize this moment with unwavering resolve, united in our commitment to realizing the vision of a more transparent, responsive and inclusive public budget for the people of Liberia,” she stated.
