The Economics Association of Malawi (Ecama) has proposed to government to consider putting principal secretaries(PSs) and all directors in the ministries under contracts beginning the 2013/14 financial year.
The association made the suggestion on Friday during the last pre-budget consultations for the 2013/14 budget presided over by Malawi’s Finance Minister Ken Lipenga.
“The 2013/14 budget should consider putting controlling officers and directors in ministries on microscope or under contracts and let an independent commission be used for their performance appraisals,” suggested Ecama executive director Nelson Mkandawire.
According to Mkandawire, such a move would help instil fiscal discipline among controlling officers as they will be accounted for.
He was specifically speaking on how best government could instil fiscal discipline in the forth-coming budget to avoid huge losses of taxpayers money through embezzlements, among other malpractices.
“There is also need to establish internal audit sections in all parastatals to ensure adherence to government directives,” he added.
“Transparency is a provision in Section 12 of the country’s Constitution and government should by all means adhere to the Constitution.”
The Ecama boss argued that doing so would ensure that the little that is collected is properly accounted for.
Responding to the suggestions, Lipenga welcomed calls for controlling officers to be under scrutiny and explained that the proposal would have a greater chance of influencing government decision in the forthcoming budget.
