North West Speakers Forum: Promoting Accountability and Transparency in Local Government

The North West Provincial Legislature convened a high-level Speakers’ Forum that brought together key stakeholders in governance and fiscal management, with a particular focus on the province’s readiness for upcoming elections and the promotion of financial accountability.
The forum featured contributions from leading institutions, including the Financial and Fiscal Commission (FFC), the Independent Electoral Commission, the Auditor General, and the Treasury. These discussions are pivotal as they aim to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, promote fiscal responsibility, and strengthen governance mechanisms within the province.

Key areas of focus included;
Election Readiness: Ensuring the province is well-prepared for a free and fair electoral process, with insights from the Independent Electoral Commission to safeguard democratic values.
Financial Management and Oversight: A critical look at financial governance in the province, with discussions on compliance with the Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA) and Public Finance Management Act (PFMA), aimed at ensuring the sound management of public funds.

Accountability and Transparency: Engaging the Office of the Auditor General to review oversight mechanisms, with the goal of promoting greater transparency and reducing financial mismanagement at all levels of government.
Through these engagements, the forum seeked to drive a coordinated approach to improving fiscal discipline and election integrity, fostering an environment of good governance and public trust.

The Speaker of the North West Provincial Legislature, Dr Desbo Mohono, emphasized that this forum is a critical opportunity for stakeholders to collaborate and ensure that the province’s government remains accountable, efficient, and prepared for the democratic challenges ahead.
“We are committed to creating a transparent and accountable environment for all our citizens, especially in the lead-up to elections,” said the Speaker. “By engaging with key bodies like the FFC, AGSA, and Treasury, we aim to ensure that our province not only meets the requirements for a free and fair election but is also positioned to manage its finances responsibly for the benefit of all residents.”

Deputy Speaker, Hon. Collen Maine in his closing remarks said Councillors must strive to do better and use the remaining time in office to speed up service delivery.