DFID ends training on financial management for Parliamentarians

The Department for International Development (DfID) has concluded a one-day training programme for two oversight committees in Parliament, namely, the Public Accounts Committee and Finance Committee on financial management. The Audit Service Sierra Leone also took part in the training which took place in the Committee Room of Parliament.

Welcoming participants at the training session, the Deputy Leader of Parliament, Hon. Mohamed Suffian Kargo, thanked DFID for helping the Sierra Leone Parliament in promoting good governance and democracy, noting that DFID has been helpful not only to the Sierra Leone Parliament but also the country in many developmental areas.

The Chairman of the programme, Hon. Eric Koedoyoema, expressed personal appreciation of the work of DfID in Sierra Leone, particularly the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament.

In her own statement, the Auditor General, Audit Service Sierra Leone, Madam Larrah Taylor Pearce, commended DIFID for assisting her department in the area of financial management and by introducing best practices in monitoring Ministries, Department and Agencies on financial matters.

A representative from DFID in Sierra Leone, Mr. John Paul Fanning, said DFiD has been assisting Sierra Leone in promoting good governance and democracy and promised to work with the government in order to promote development in Sierra Leone.

In his presentation, a Consultant from DFiD, Mr. Phil Duncombe, spoke on the role of Parliament and the Audit Service, highlighting practical examples as they operate in other countries. Through discussions, he identified areas where current practices might be improved on financial management system.

This, he said, will enable Members to design action plans for future improvement and also prepare brochures on the roles and responsibilities of oversight institutions for public financial management.