Water For Justice

STRENGTHENING INSTITUTIONS OF DEMOCRACY

Institutions of democracy are vital in every country hence the need for them to be strengthened in various ways. A representative from South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Mr. Tim Hughes, said this when addressing local parliamentarians and community councilors at a workshop in Maseru.

He said, the purpose of the two day workshop organised by SAIIA and Transformation Resource Centre (TRC) is to promote and strengthen democracy and good governance in the country.

He added that institutions of democracy especially the parliament are highly important in a democratic country, hence the need for them to be enhanced for the development of the country and its people.

Mr. Hughes, said it is only when parliamentarians work together with community councilors as well as the public that the country can address challenges such as unemployment, poverty and HIV/AIDS. He called on people's participation in parliamentary affairs.

Mr. Mothusi Seqhee, said through their Lesotho Democracy Programme (LDP), they hope to raise awareness to the public on the importance of being involved in issues of parliament.

He however, said a major challenge is that majority of people do not pay much attention to issues of parliament, urging stakeholders involved information dissemination to join hands and raise awareness.

Themes to be discussed will include:

Pillars of good governance-Processes of leadership- policymaking, transparency, accountability, protection of human rights and relationship among the public as pillars of good governance.
Challenges faced by executive in responding to service delivery and provision
Inclusiveness of budgetary processes
Public participation and local governance
Recognition and empowerment of local councils structures in service delivery and sufficient funding of services as decentralization means
Executive, skilled and improved public service capability to respond to developmental needs of society timely.