By Silas Apollo
Governments in Africa have been asked to rethink their public debt management strategies to overcome the current debt distress affecting a number of countries in the continent.
MPs drawn from across various Parliaments in Africa have said that the over-reliance on debt had affected the growth of many nations on the continent.
Speaking during the opening session of a three-day forum geared towards Strengthening Processes for Legislative Budgeting and Public Debt Management in Mombasa, the lawmakers expressed concerns that many Parliaments in the region have very little role in budgeting despite their cardinal role as vanguards of the interests of the people.
The legislators expressed concerns that though a huge part of debt owed by regional countries dates back a few decades ago, affected governments had failed to transition from debt management to debt resolution.
At the same time, legislators from a number of African Parliaments have also called for more inclusion of Parliaments in the budget making process so as to enhance their oversight role towards better debt management.
Mr Abdi Shurie, chairperson of the Committee on Public Debt and Privatization in Kenya’s National Assembly, said that proper scrutiny of debt by Parliament was an essential part of governance.
“This is a very important forum for legislators resulting from the challenges that the African Region is facing with regard to debt issues and legislative budgeting. I wish to extend our gratitude to HDP for the successful organization of this forum,” Mr Shurie said.
Regional Director, National Democratic Institute in Kenya, Mr Dickson Omondi observed that the debt crisis has a huge impact on the vulnerable in the society.
“When debt is a significant issue for any country, it means that some programs in critical sectors will be neglected, in order to service debt. Ultimately, it is the most vulnerable in society that will suffer when the critical sectors of the economy are affected by debt levels,” he said.
The event hosted by the National Assembly in partnership with the House Democracy Partnership through the Congressional forum’s local partner National Democratic Institute; has attracted participants from Kenya, Gambia, Mozambique, Ghana, Zambia and Liberia. (
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