Mohale's Hoek __ Finance and Development Planning Ministry has on Tuesday held consultation with the public, private sector, civil servants and local authorities with the objective and purpose of finding out and identifying key development challenges and opportunities facing Lesotho.

In his presentation, Mr. Mokone Mokokoane, Director Policy and Strategic Planning noted that in each country, there are long-term development plans and short-term development plans.

Mr Mokokoane indicated that it is the mandate of their ministry to go back to the public, the private sector, civil society organisations and civil servants in government ministries to know and understand their opinions in mapping out a way forward for new visions and national strategic plans.

He further indicated that similar exercise is held in the10 districts

On the other hand, the Chief Economic Planner Mr. Ts'oanelo Lebiletsa pointed out that it is important for attendees to participate and voice out their opinions as they will be respected and valued.

Mr. Libiletsa emphasized that the attendees voiced out some of the various challenges and hiccups that crippled "Vision 2020" and some of them include political instability, corruption, lack of youth empowerment, high youth unemployment rate, scarcity of healthcare services, impact of climate change, abject poverty, lack of access to finance, self-serving leaders, outdated laws and lack of patriotism.

He said some of these challenges, the government is working hard to eradicate so that the next long term they do not affect vision and national strategic plan.

Furthermore, Mr. Thabo Mothe, District Council Secretary, said he is very happy that the ministry has visited the district and highlighted that power must be decentralised so that local authorities can be the custodians of government policies, long term visions, strategic development goals (SDGs), short term visions and bylaws.

Mr. Mothe applauded the government for such a plan and remarked that it will be of great benefit since it is inclusive and everyone is represented.

Mr. Ts'eliso Kajane, an entrepreneur and well-known businessman articulated that this is bottom up strategy and the government shall receive and evaluate all the opinions and views from grassroots level to the highest authorities and relevant stakeholders.

Mr Kajane further said it is important for the government to revisit and review all its policies, long-term visions and short term visions at least after every five years.