- Contributions exclude any debt commitment
- Deductible expenses within the limits of the ceilings authorized in tax matters
- For a period of one year renewable if necessary
Burkina Faso is facing a security and humanitarian crisis that is impacting its economy. With a view to supporting the efforts undertaken to free the country from this gangrene, the transitional government, resulting from the coup of September 30, 2022, has launched the recruitment of 50,000 Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). To finance the maintenance of these volunteer troops, a voluntary contribution was launched. The Council of Minister, in its ordinary session of January 11, 2023, adopted the draft decree establishing a Patriotic Support Fund abbreviated as FSP. The Minister of Economy, Finance and Foresight, Dr. Aboubacar Nacanabo, presented himself to the press on January 20, 2023, in Ouagadougou for the presentation of this new instrument for collecting financial resources. The objectives and results of the implementation of the FSP, the resources of the fund and its use, the methods of collection and the mechanisms for managing the resources of the fund, and finally the orientation and management bodies were discussed.
According to Dr. Aboubacar Nacanabo, due to terrorism, pressure has increased on public finances. Faced with increasingly growing needs and limited resources, budgetary space has been considerably reduced. To deal with this situation, the government is counting on the patriotic outburst of the Burkinabè, who moreover have shown their willingness through various contributions according to the minister. For him, the channeling of the various contributions within an organized framework is essential.
unique collection instrument
The objective is to provide the government with a unique instrument for the collection and management of financial resources in order to support efforts to secure the national territory, he said. The treasurer of the country announces that the resources of the fund are made up of voluntary financial contributions from natural and legal persons residing in Burkina Faso, those of the diaspora as well as voluntary technical and financial partners, donations, bequests, allocations of resources specific, and any other authorized resources. The contributions received exclude any commitment that should result in indebtedness for Burkina Faso and must be part of the achievement of the fund’s objectives, he insisted. In addition, He affirms that these resources are intended to finance the VDPs, in particular their remuneration. Direct payments, prepayments and pre-financing are among other methods of contributions and collection of funds, the minister said. The resources collected are placed in an account opened in the books of the public treasury. The collection system consists of the public treasury network, mobile phone accounts and any other authorized channel. The resources collected which benefit the FSP are deductible expenses within the limits of the ceilings authorized in tax matters as far as companies are concerned, he explained. For each type of contribution, consultations and implementation measures are underway with the actors concerned, and an update will be made monthly, reassured the Minister in charge of finance. For the January 2023 update, the situation will be available in early February, he promises.
With regard to the voluntary contribution of workers, a form has already been distributed and the collection of forms has already begun, he indicates. Dr. Aboubacar Nacanabo adds that for the public service, voluntary workers must submit their assignment forms completed at the level of the human resources department or sent to the following electronic address [email protected]. In addition, for public companies, the territorial public service, the parliamentary public service, the public establishments of the State and the private sector, the completed form must be deposited at the level of their respective payroll services, he continues.
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Box: FSP in a nutshell
The FSP is placed under the administration of an orientation council and a management committee. The Orientation Council is the FSP’s national decision-making body. It decides on the main issues affecting the fund’s resources and ensures that they are used properly. It is chaired by the Prime Minister and includes representatives of the government, political parties, trade unions and civil society. The management committee is chaired by the secretary general of the ministry in charge of the economy, finance and forecasting. It includes representatives of the presidency of Faso, ministries, employers, unions and VDPs. The accounting and financial management of the fund is subject to inspection by the various competent bodies, in particular the ASCE-LC, the Court of Auditors, the General Inspectorate of Finance. It is also subject to control and inspection by any legally recognized anti-corruption association or organization. The fund can be audited on the initiative of the State or its partners. A manual of procedures adopted by order of the ministers in charge of finance, defense and security sets out the methods for executing expenditure linked to the use of the resources of the fund. And any breach noted in the use of the fund’s resources is penalized in accordance with the regulations in force. In addition, the FSP is established for a period of one year, renewable if necessary. However, it can be dissolved as soon as its object disappears. In the event of dissolution, the unused resources of the fund are returned to the public treasury.
Source: Statement by Dr. Aboubacar Nacanabo
