By: Kebba AF Touray
Gambia’s Finance Minister, Mambury Njie, has underscored the integral role of accountants in public service delivery.
Mr. Njie said this while presiding over the climax of the Accountants’ Forum held on Wednesday, 12 January, 2022.
Mr. Njie said the forum provides the environment for Government accountants to take stock of Public Financial Management (PFM) activities and the challenges encountered during the past year, in order to formulate the necessary strategies required for the continuous improvement of PFM functions.
“As the primary custodians of Government finances, accountants play crucial roles in public service delivery,” Njie said, urging them to strictly adhere to the codes of conduct and ethics of their profession.
He said there have been significant improvements in PFM functions in the public sector, due to various reforms that are being implemented by Government over the past year. He hailed the AGD for spearheading the reforms which he said, Government is committed to enhance.
“I will continue to provide the required resources as well give my moral support, in order to bring about the required success in the said reforms,” he concluded.
On his part, the Accountant General, Momodou Lamin Bah, said the event provides accountants the opportunity to self-review to know how well they have delivered on their mandate in PFM during the past year, adding the forum gives them the chance to enhance their strengths, as well as address the gaps and weaknesses in their PFM functions.
“In accordance with the provision of the Public Finance Act 2014, accountants perform the roles of receiver general, pay master and chief accounting officers for Government,” Bah said; adding that these are huge responsibilities which require competence, confidentiality, dedication to duty and above all, a sense of personal integrity.
As the head of accountants, he urged participants to nurture these values at all times, and under all circumstances as required by the codes of conduct and ethics of their profession. He promised them that the Accountant General’s department will continue to invest in capacity building and support the career development of staff, encouraging all staff to take full advantage of the opportunities accorded them.
He thanked the Minister of Finance and Economic Affairs for gracing the occasion and for the support he continues to render to the Accountant General’s Department and overall, Government’s public Financial Management reform agenda.
The event brought together Government accountants at Ministries, Departments and Agencies as well as those on diplomatic missions via zoom.
