LESOTHO GOVERNMENT KICKS OFF THREE-DAY PILOT DIALOGUE TO PUT CITIZENS AT THE CENTRE OF GOVERNANCE.

The Right Honourable the Prime Minister Ntsokoane Matekane says the national accountability summit is a platform for Basotho and non-governmental organizations (NGOs), to engage openly with leaders by asking questions, in search of clarification, getting feedback on matters concerning them in order to enhance public participation and transparency.

The PM said this when officiating the three-day pilot dialogue attended by various sectors of the society including retired political veterans held in Maseru starting on Wednesday.

He noted that this is an important day seeking to bring the society closer to the democratic government with people mapping the way forward on how best to develop Lesotho ahead of independence.

He added that when he took oath as PM in 2022, he assured the nation he would do everything possible in his power to promote good governance and accountability, hence today’s summit having been benchmarked with Rwanda.

“It is for this reason that experts from the office of Rwanda President are present with us to guide and bear witness to this effect,” he said.

He alluded that building sustainable government requires that leaders be selfless, learn from the best and bring best practices that will suit the local context of Lesotho through support of Basotho citizens.

The Prime Minister indicated that through the media including social media platforms, the society has expressed worry that they are being served unfairly and poorly, thus the summit will enable for introspection from their side while also sharing challenges and gaps of the government since its inception.

“Our ultimate goal is to hear the voice of the society and bring up solutions where possible,” said the PM.

Meanwhile, he noted challenges that pertains to delay in issuance of passports, stating since June 24 all Basotho who have applied will now be getting messages through their mobiles to know when their passports are ready, this with the aim to alleviate congestion and long queues.

“It is our hope that passport applications will be handled and processed within a period of four days,” he said.

Talking about successes in particular unemployment facing the youth, the PM alluded that so far at least graduate programmes have been enhanced to empower the youth, give them allowances on a monthly basis while also giving them experience. Other youth programmes include SEBABATSO and being part of Youth Connect Africa to mention a few.

Similarly, the Deputy Prime Minister (DPM), Justice Nthomeng Majara shared a report following a leadership forum held recently in Berea.

Giving a synopsis of the report, she said if the government is to achieve huge strides, leaders have agreed that working in silos will not get the government anywhere hence will strengthen coordination measures.

Moreover, she said preliminary census reports show that there are 2.39 population of Lesotho with the youth aged between 22 to 30 years accounting as a larger part of the society. The sad part she said unemployment is still high amongst the youth.

She explained that the leadership forum has noted successes in terms of tourism as it portrays great opportunities, adding in terms of health at least 7,500 community health workers have been trained while 141 classrooms have also been made available.

Talking about other developments, she said at least 59 villages have been connected with electricity as well as 29,000 households.

However, she expressed worry as far as education matters are concerned as learners in secondary schools drop in the middle of the academic process, suspecting teenage pregnancy and early marriages as major factors.

This summit tamed inclusive is being streamed live on state media platforms, sign language interpreters are also present to accommodate the deaf.

The national dialogue commenced with prayer emanating from Luke where Reverend Monaheng Sekese on behalf of CCL stipulated much is given to leaders hence much is demanded as according to the word.

Deliberations shall continue on a number of issues including key thematic areas that include strengthening human capital, decentralisation and service delivery as well as other developmental agendas.