The First-Ever And Land-Mark Cross-Political Party Caucuses’ Workshop Elevates The Parliamentary Budget Session, Promoting Collective Responsibility And National Interest In Malawi
Democracy Works Foundation (DWF) successfully hosted a strategic orientation engagement workshop for the Public Accounts Committee of the Malawi Parliament at Ufulu Gardens Hotel in Lilongwe. The three-day workshop took place from 8-10 January 2024. This landmark event marked a significant step towards enhancing Parliamentary Oversight and Integrity through the introduction of the pre- and post-legislative scrutiny mechanisms.
Led by DWF’s Public Resource Management Expert, Mr. Dalitso Kubalasa, the workshop was held in close collaboration with Global Partners Governance (GPG) Associates, bringing together legislative experts, public finance management experts, legislators, Parliamentary Staff, and stakeholders to explore innovative approaches to legislative scrutiny and accountability.
The orientation workshop was designed to empower members of the Malawi Parliament Public Accounts Committee with the knowledge and tools necessary to conduct thorough pre- and post-legislative scrutiny, ensuring that legislation is not only effective, but also transparent and accountable. This approach aims to bridge the gap between legislative intent and actual implementation, fostering a culture of integrity and good governance in Malawi.
In his opening presentation, the DWF-PSP Public Resource Management Expert highlighted the critical role of the Public Accounts Committee in safeguarding public resources and upholding the principles of integrity, transparency, and accountability. He emphasised that pre- and post-legislative scrutiny are quite essential components of a robust oversight framework, enabling legislators to anticipate potential challenges and pitfalls, assessing the impact of legislation on public welfare.
The workshop featured interactive sessions, expert presentations, and some practical applications examples, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of legislative scrutiny processes. Topics covered included best practices for pre-legislative analysis, effective monitoring and evaluation techniques, and strategies for post-legislative impact assessment.
Representatives from the Global Partners Governance, a collaborative partner under the Parliamentary Support Program, shared valuable insights from their international perspective and experience, offering comparative perspectives and practical examples of successful legislative models in the United Kingdom and Scotland. Their contributions enriched the discussions, and provided actionable recommendations tailored to the Malawian context.
One of the key highlights of the workshop was the development of a roadmap for the integrating pre- and post-legislative scrutiny into the work of the Public Accounts Committee in the Malawi Parliament. Participants identified key milestones, potential challenges, and strategies for implementation, setting the stage for a more proactive and informed legislative process.
The landmark orientation workshop was hailed as a window of opportunity for the Public Accounts Committee, as well as the Parliamentary Support Program, to enhance the oversight capabilities and contribute to a more transparent and accountable governance system in Malawi Parliament. By equipping legislators with the tools and knowledge to scrutinise legislation effectively with (and for) integrity, the workshop has laid the foundation for meaningful change and improved public trust in the legislative process.
