Strengthening Parliament’s role in public finance management in Africa
TODAY'S African legislative institutions carry out all of the fundamental roles of a representative assembly, including representation, supervision and legislation.
Particularly, their duties encompass drafting laws, approving Executive policies, verifying appointments, managing government agencies, representing and educating the public, serving as a launching pad for political careers, relieving high-ranking public officials of their duties and more.
This suggests that a key element of a contemporary democratic system is parliamentary oversight of public spending.
It is crucial now more than ever to make sure public monies are used responsibly because of the growing concern and austerity requires given the volatile economic environment. In addition to keeping an eye on the delivery of public services and value for money, effective financial scrutiny guarantees that governments are held accountable for their deeds and decisions regarding fiscal policy. The country's anticipated and actual revenue and expenditures are reflected in the budgetary process, which mimics it.
Despite the creation of contemporary representative institutions on the African continent, Parliaments have remained relatively weak in comparison to the Judiciary and Executive branches of government and they are also susceptible to the historical constraints that have shaped their existence.
As the primary symbol of democracy, they were intended to be weak but visible, according to a number of studies, but they also have lower authority and significance than the Executive branch of government. For example, Benin's Constitution grants the government the power to borrow money without consulting Parliament and will only report its usage to Parliament. Despite being the least important of the three political power structures in Africa, legislative institutions have persisted in their status although there are constitutional mandates to the contrary.
The unique circumstances of the representative institutions of Africa call for more thought in order to fully comprehend them, even though it is acknowledged that parliamentary authority, privileges and reputation are declining globally. The legislature in
Africa was never intended to serve the same functions as comparable institutions have and continue to serve in other political systems. Nor has it ever been permitted to do so.
Because of these issues, Parliament has been unable to carry out its oversight function on public finance management and has thus been hindered in its ability to function as an effective tool of reining in government in participatory democracies. Consequently, in several African nations like Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mozambique and Kenya, public debt has skyrocketed. One important aspect of the budget is public debt.
Through the budget, Parliament oversees outstanding debt commitments, including the issue of new debt and the repayment of existing debt. Therefore, Parliament is crucial to the budget process because of its ex-post scrutiny role (via the Public Accounts Committee and other mechanisms) and its authority to approve the budget (the power of the purse).
This helps to ensure the budget's legitimacy and efficient management of the public debt. As a result of the Executive branch not exercising restraint in its voracious spending, Parliament is accused of abdicating its mandate if it does not fulfil its major function in the budgetary process. Due to a lack of strong legislative oversight, the Executive branch's priorities are frequently reflected in budget appropriation, execution, and oversight. In some nations, like Zimbabwe, Parliament has failed to keep an eye on the nation's spiralling debt, putting the country in a precarious situation.
Concerns about lack of accountability and transparency have been expressed regarding borrowing in light of recent increases in public debt in some African nations.
Parliaments have been slack in their examination of reports that various governmental entities submit in numerous financially distressed African nations, including Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Angola. Moreover, reports regarding irregularities concerning the number of recesses during the year and the meetings of the Public Accounts Committee have not been promptly addressed by Parliaments.