The Effect of Public and Community Participation on the Budget Administration Process in South Sudan

The study examines the effect of public and community participation on South Sudan’s budget administration process from 2011 to 2021, focusing on three national ministries: Finance and Planning, General Education and Instructions, and Health. The purpose of the study was achieved through a descriptive survey and a correlational research design, which combined both quantitative and qualitative methods. The research involved 110 management staff members and utilized a sample size of 86 respondents, determined using Krejcie and Morgan’s (1970) formula. The data was collected through the self-administered questionnaires and structured interviews. For data analysis, thematic examination was used for qualitative data, while quantitative data was processed using descriptive, it was also processed using inferential statistics with SPSS Version 21. The findings indicate a significant lack of public and community participation throughout all stages of the budget administration process within the governmental agencies. It concludes that this lack of engagement has led to ineffective budgets, lacking credibility, transparency, and accountability, which in turn adversely affects the quality of basic services and the efficacy of key projects intended to address citizen needs. The study recommends that the government should enhance public and community participation in the budget administration process to bolster efficacy, transparency, and accountability. Such improvements are envisioned to facilitate better service delivery and ensure that prioritized citizen projects are addressed.

Keywords: Public, Community, Participation, Budget, Administration, South Sudan.