The Liberian legislature, seeking to strengthen its oversight of the executive branch, is working to improve its budget analysis capabilities. The country’s democratic transition, following nearly two decades of conflict and civil war, is dependent on good governance, and a strong legislature is one key component.  NDI is working with legislators to help them improve policymaking in a number of areas, including the national budget, anti-corruption efforts and human rights.

The legislature does not yet have a formal budget office, but legislative aides are attending training programs organized by NDI to familiarize themselves with the process before release of the 2010-2011 national budget bill, expected from the executive branch in late April. Armed with new skills, trained staff members will be able to provide lawmakers with analytical information about the budget legislation and advise them prior to debate on policy issues impacted by the draft budget.

NDI legislative consultant David Pechefsky, former assistant director in the finance division of the New York City Council, led training sessions in Monrovia that covered the nuts and bolts of budget analysis.

Participants reviewed last year’s national budget by sector, discussed strategies for dissecting pertinent budget information and identified questions lawmakers could put to ministry representatives to learn more about specific department requests. Participating staff analyzed budget changes over the years using spreadsheets to create charts and graphs that compared budget data from different fiscal years. Then they drafted memos highlighting priority issues for legislators.

Staff members reported that the training was challenging but useful. One participant said the technical assistance from NDI broadened staff members’ knowledge about the role of the legislature in the budget process and would allow lawmakers to ensure that budget allocations are consistent with policy priorities.  

NDI’s technical assistance on budget analysis is part of a larger program, funded by the United States Agency for International Development, to support the modernization of Liberia’s legislature. The program aims to build institutional practices that will improve the effectiveness of the legislature and assist both staff and lawmakers to fulfill their constituent representation, lawmaking and executive oversight roles.

Pictured Above: NDI legislative consultant David Pechefsky trains Liberian legislative staff members to analyze budget legislation.

Published April 1, 2010