WCO-WCA Finance and Audit Committee Conference commences in Banjul

Organised by WCO and hosted by Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), the conference had its opening ceremony graced by Commissioner of Customs Alhagie K. Mbye, Risk Management Director Alieu Bittaye, Finance and Accounting Director Alhaji Saihou Denton, who doubles as Chairperson of WCO Finance Committee, among other senior officers of GRA. 

In his opening remarks on behalf of the Commissioner General, deputy Commissioner General and Head of Taxes Essa Jallowsaid he was delighted to preside over the opening ceremony of the conference on behalf of the Commissioner General of GRA.

The conference held on the affairs of the Finance Committee and Audit Committee of WCO-WCA, is part of the statutory meetings of the 29th Conference of Directors General of the regional body hosted by the GRA in The Gambia. 

Welcoming the visiting delegates to The Gambia, deputy CG Essa Jallow said: “As you are already aware, based on the terms of reference drawn for the Finance and Audit Committees respectively, they play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth, effective and efficient functioning of our regional body. 

“The work of the Committees ensures that our organisation is functioning on the basis of sound and prudent financial management principles and audits underpinned by best practices and standards promoted by globally recognised professional bodies.

“Based on the Foregoing I want to recognize the efforts of the members of these Committees in  preparing the financial statements of our organisation, carrying out timely audits, updating members on the status of the contributions and arrears, giving advice on the implementation of our strategic plans, providing audit assurance on the financial statements of the organisation and issues of internal controls among other things to enrich the deliberations and oversight responsibilities of the Conference of Directors General.”

The aforementioned efforts, he said, had resulted in quality decisions and resolutions taken by the Heads of their administrations and the effective functioning of the Secretariat. 

“We have also seen notable improvements in the budgetary process and allocation of resources,” he added.“Hence, your role cannot be underestimated in ensuring that the practices of our organisation are based on the globally accepted values of good governance, transparency and accountability. As you begin your 2-day convergence to reflect on the financial and audit matters of our organisation, I wish you all the best and challenge you to come up with very comprehensive reports of the highest quality as vital inputs to the successful deliberations at the Conference of Directors General to start next week.” 

Concluding, Mr Jallow encouraged all the participants to work hard but also to find time to explore the beautiful environments around their hotels in The Gambia. 

“On behalf of the Board and Management of the Gambia Revenue Authority I want to thank you for honoring our invitation to attend these meetings of the WCO-WCA done here in The Gambia and wishing you fruitful deliberations,” he remarked, declaring the conference of meetings open. 

Speakers on the occasion included the commissioner of customs, the director of finance and accounting and chairperson of WCO-WCA finance committee, and other international representatives.