Deputy Prime Minister Justice Nthomeng Majara said the government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving leadership, accountability and public service delivery following the country’s first National Leadership Forum held in Berea.
Presenting the outcomes of the forum, Justice Majara said the meeting brought together Cabinet ministers, Members of Parliament, heads of independent institutions, principal secretaries, district administrators, state-owned enterprises and members of the diplomatic community to strengthen collaboration and accelerate implementation of national development priorities under the Extended National Strategic Development Plan Two.
She said participants reviewed progress and challenges made in key sectors, including commercial agriculture, tourism revival, healthcare, public safety, water supply, digital connectivity, electricity access, public financial management, justice and policing.
She noted that despite these achievements, the government acknowledged persistent challenges such as youth unemployment, food insecurity, school dropout rates, inadequate infrastructure, limited implementation capacity, low domestic revenue mobilisation, corruption, weak institutional coordination and poor reporting on government performance.
Justice Majara further said the forum recognised the contribution of oversight institutions, including the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Offences, the Ombudsman, the Auditor General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General, in strengthening accountability, improving access to justice, recovering public assets and supporting national reforms.
She said these institutions require continued investment, adequate funding and capacity building to perform effectively.
She said leaders agreed that public institutions must place citizens at the centre of service delivery, improve transparency, strengthen cooperation across government, promote innovation and ensure that policies are translated into measurable results that improve the lives of Basotho.
She indicated that the forum also reaffirmed priorities under the National Strategic Development Plan, focusing on inclusive economic growth led by the private sector, human capital development, infrastructure expansion, improved governance and stronger accountability mechanisms.
Among the agreed actions are expanding irrigation schemes, supporting small and medium enterprises, improving health services, strengthening technical and vocational education, increasing digital public services, expanding social protection, improving roads, electricity, water and internet infrastructure, and reinforcing oversight institutions.
Justice Majara announced that a Delivery Unit will be established within the Office of the Prime Minister to monitor implementation of the forum’s resolutions. She said ministries and government agencies have been directed to develop clear implementation plans, assign responsibilities and regularly report progress.
She said the first 90days after the forum will be critical for implementing agreed actions, while the next twelve months should demonstrate visible improvements in service delivery and national development.
The Deputy Prime Minister called on all public institutions to work with urgency, transparency and accountability to ensure that the government delivers tangible results for the people of Lesotho.
Source: Lesotho News Agency [LENA]
