Togo's Plateaux Region Communal Actors Trained on Budget Document Preparation

A four-day workshop on preparing and executing communal budget documents kicked off in Notsè, Togo, on November 10. The training, organized by the National Agency for Local Government Training (ANFCT), brought together communal actors from Danyi, Ogou, Haho, and Moyen-Mono in the Plateaux-East region. The workshop aims to equip participants with knowledge on budget principles, content of local government budget documents, and the legal framework for local public finances.

The workshop will cover topics such as budget document preparation methods, roles of actors, voting procedures, and control of equality. Participants will also learn about the legal framework for local public finances, budget principles, optimizing local government spending, and accountability. Consultant Atsu-Deté Edi stated that the initiative enables actors to manage the budget cycle, from preparation to accountability, incorporating supplementary budget results.

The training is expected to enhance participants' capacity to prepare future communal budgets, which Edi considers crucial for local authorities to drive development. Haho Prefect Col. Gnakou Alowegnim and Haho 1 Mayor Koffi Assila emphasized that communes can achieve development by translating projects into concrete actions. They encouraged participants to capitalize on the knowledge gained to address challenges in preparing and executing communal budget documents.

The workshop brought together mayors, municipal secretaries-general, finance commission chairs and rapporteurs, and other budget officials from the four communes. ANFCT organized the training to build the capacity of local government actors in managing public finances. The agency aims to improve the preparation and execution of communal budgets, ultimately contributing to local development.

According to Atsu-Deté Edi, the training is an opportunity for participants to strengthen their skills in preparing future communal budgets. This, he believes, will enable local authorities to drive development in their respective communes. The consultant emphasized the importance of integrating supplementary budget results into the budget cycle.

Local government officials have expressed their commitment to applying the knowledge gained from the workshop. They acknowledged that effective budget preparation and execution are critical to achieving development goals in their communes. The training is expected to have a positive impact on local governance in the Plateaux region.

The four-day workshop will conclude with participants expected to have gained a deeper understanding of communal budget preparation and execution. The training is part of ANFCT's efforts to build the capacity of local government actors in Togo. By enhancing their skills, the agency aims to promote effective public financial management and local development.

Key points

• The workshop aims to equip communal actors with knowledge on budget principles, content of local government budget documents, and the legal framework for local public finances.