Wajibu Institute of Public Accountability

Improvement in Audit Opinions: WAJIBU's analysis of the Controller and Auditor General's (CAG) reports for 2021/22 indicated significant improvements in the quality of audit opinions issued to Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), Local Government Authorities (LGAs), and Public Authorities and Other Bodies (PA&OBs). For example, 96.3% of MDAs received unqualified audit opinions, demonstrating better preparation of public sector financial statements. Capacity Building and Advocacy: WAJIBU successfully conducted multiple capacity-building sessions and advocacy initiatives. These included training sessions for 28 NGOs on public financial accountability (PFA) and media houses on gender-sensitive analysis of the CAG's reports. They also engaged in high-level advocacy, influencing government policies, such as the recommendation for the government to revise the Public Audit Act of 2008 to shorten the timeframe for submitting audit reports from 9 to 6 months. Youth Engagement: The report highlighted significant involvement of youth through accountability clubs in higher learning institutions, where they participated in various activities promoting awareness of public financial accountability and anti-corruption efforts. For instance, the RUCU Accountability Club organized an event focusing on accountability life-skills for female students. Unexpected Results: Government Action Triggered by Media Engagement: WAJIBUs media interventions, particularly through community radios, resulted in tangible government actions. For example, after a radio program by Ndingala FM in Sumbawanga highlighted issues with the uncompleted construction of a district hospital, the government took significant steps, including administrative changes and the allocation of additional funds to complete the hospital. Unexpected Delays and Challenges: Despite the overall success, the report also noted some challenges, such as delays in implementing advocacy work due to government bureaucracy and late disbursement of donor funds, which affected the timely execution of planned activities. Increased Citizen Participation through PETS: The Public Expenditure Tracking System (PETS) committees, formed as part of the Audit Accountability Initiative Project, unexpectedly empowered local communities to demand accountability and participate in development projects. For example, in Tanganyika District, the PETS committee influenced the allocation of funds from carbon credit earnings to improve school infrastructure.

Promotes public accountability and good governance in Tanzania through policy advocacy, research, capacity building, and citizen engagement. The mission is also to apply Public Social Accountability Monitoring (PSAM) analytical tool to ensure that there is proper public resources management and good governance in the country. Expected outcomes of the program are: i)To strengthen citizen engagement in demanding Public Finance Accountability (PFA) ii)To enhance capacity of media, youth, CSOs, duty bearers and elected representatives in the practice of PFA iii)To influence policy change in improving the environment of PFA iii)To strengthen Wajibus technical and financial capacity towards making it as an effective public finance accountability think tank institution. To achieve these outcomes mentioned above, the program will support the capacity development of civil society (users committees, local NGOs, youth, media, duty bearers and elected representatives) to implement and promote the principles of public finance accountability. Beyond, it will help establish effective collaborative links between civil society, local elected officials and technical services to ensure their participation in decision-making. As it will be better informed, civil society and the citizens will be well prepared to negotiate the inclusion during budgeting and spending of public finances.