Report on Stakeholders' conference on the poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP)

Abstract

The approach on comprehensive consultation in the process on the preparation of the PRSP is a must if poverty reduction programmes are to have a positive impact and gain the much desired ownership of the programme when it comes to implementation and monitoring. The ECA has over the years been advocating popular participation in socioeconomic development. Unfortunately, governments are sometimes forced to comply to IMF/World Bank conditions, e.g. the case of comprehensive consultations on the PRSP process without their own conviction that this is important. As a result the consultations may only be a formality and not done thoroughly. Once the governments obtain funding for programmes, consultations may not continue in the implementation process of the programmes. Nation-wide consultations require adequate time. Zambia has very little time for a thorough comprehensive consultative process. Thus the outcome may fall short of expectations.