{"id":66949,"date":"2026-02-20T11:34:43","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T11:34:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/government-urges-active-public-engagement-after-budget-speech"},"modified":"2026-02-20T11:50:51","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T11:50:51","slug":"government-urges-active-public-engagement-after-budget-speech","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.africa-press.net\/lesotho\/all-news\/government-urges-active-public-engagement-after-budget-speech","title":{"rendered":"Government Urges Active Public Engagement After Budget Speech"},"content":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. <\/strong> <\/span>The Government has called on Basotho to actively participate in the implementation of the 2026\/27 National Budget, stressing that its success will depend on effective delivery and public accountability rather than ambition alone.<\/p>\n

Speaking in an interview with the Agency on Thursday following the presentation of the 2026\/27 Budget Speech by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Rets\u2019elisitsoe Matlanyane, Government Spokesperson Mr. Boitelo Rabele said the budget should not be viewed merely as a financial statement, but as a comprehensive government policy document.<\/p>\n

He explained that the budget serves as a strategic and operational guide for the financial year, outlining national priorities, setting fiscal direction and translating development goals into funded programmes and measurable actions.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Budget is not just a speech. It is a clear signal of where resources will be allocated, which sectors will be prioritised, and how public funds will be managed to drive economic growth, improve service delivery and strengthen social protection,\u201d he said. Mr. Rabele emphasised that understanding the contents of the budget must be followed by collective responsibility to ensure its effective implementation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis Budget must not end with the speech. It must live throughout the year,\u201d he noted, urging all stakeholders and citizens to remain actively involved in monitoring and supporting its execution.<\/p>\n

He particularly encouraged young people to take advantage of opportunities outlined in the budget, saying these initiatives were crafted with the youth in mind. He urged them to support one another in accessing the available programmes.<\/p>\n

Mr. Rabele further reassured the public that the government welcomes constructive scrutiny and tough questions, describing accountability as a pillar of transparency, good governance and public trust.<\/p>\n

He cautioned against political rhetoric that seeks to ridicule rather than promote understanding, saying the country cannot afford to undermine opportunities presented in the budget. Mr. Rabele concluded by urging Basotho to shift focus from words to action, emphasising that the success of the 2026\/27 Budget will ultimately depend not on ambition, but on delivery.<\/p>\n

The 2026\/27 National Budget was presented in the National Assembly by the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Dr. Rets\u2019elisitsoe Matlanyane, outlining government\u2019s fiscal priorities and development agenda for the upcoming financial year.<\/p>\n

The budget comes at a time when Lesotho continues to focus on strengthening economic growth, improving service delivery and enhancing social protection amid ongoing fiscal pressures and high public expectations.<\/p>\n

Find more news and analyses on Lesotho<\/span> on the Africa Press<\/span> website<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Africa-Press – Lesotho. The Government has called on Basotho to actively participate in the implementation of the 2026\/27 National Budget, stressing that its success will depend on effective delivery and public accountability rather than ambition alone. Speaking in an interview with the Agency on Thursday following the presentation of the 2026\/27 Budget Speech by the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":84,"featured_media":66948,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7,12],"tags":[245],"class_list":["post-66949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-all-news","category-head-lines","category-policy","tag-lesotho"],"yoast_head":"\nGovernment Urges Active Public Engagement After Budget Speech - Lesotho<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"-article-header-tag"> Africa-Press - Lesotho. 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