The Auditor General, P. Garswa Jackson has held strategic interactions with some of Liberia’s traditional partners on forging sustained partnerships.
The partners included the United States Ambassador to Liberia, Michael A. McCarthy; the Country Representative of the UNDP, Stephen Rodricues; Swedish Ambassador, Urban Sjöström; the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations, Niels Scott and the European Union Head of Delegation, Ambassador Laurent Delahousse.
While AG Jackson was accompanied internally and externally during these strategic interactions by his Deputy for Administration, Foday G. Kiazolu and Deputy for Audit Service, Winsley S. Nanka, as well as his Chief of Office Staff, Karpee S. Denia.
AG Jackson extolled the diplomats for their organizations’ support and assistance and partnerships with the GAC over the years, giving them the assurance of continuity during his tenure at the Commission.
He informed the international stakeholders about the current challenges retarding the progress and operations of the GAC, including audit expansion, capacity building and low budget,
Auditor General Jackson also indicated collaborative efforts being initiated with other integrity institutions such as the Internal Audit Agency, Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission, as well as the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, among others, to ensure compliance with the financial laws of Liberia.
He also discussed the five pillars of the Commission’s Strategic Plan, Resource Mobilization, as well as how the success of the aforementioned initiatives would be measured in three years.
Regarding the Central Office of the GAC, the new Auditor General paid homage to the late Auditor General, Yusador S. Gaye, for the acquisition of a 7.5 Acres of land in the City of Bensonville, Montserrado County for the future home of the Commission, noting that the structure currently being used as the office of the Commission is the Old executive Mansion that cannot be improved upon owing to it future usage as a national museum.
In view of all of the mentioned initiatives amid the challenges, the young and passionate Auditor General pleaded with the international partners for support/funding.
The international partners at separate intervals described the AG’s presentation as inspiring and proper introductory calls, emphasizing that they were pleased to see how much their partnership and work through their respective programs in Liberia are appreciated by accountability institutions.
They pledged their support and also assured the Auditor General and Team that they will work with his institution in further enhancing accountability and transparency in the utilization of public resources.