By Maimuna Sey-Jawo
Five days Training course on Diplomatic practices, Etiquette and protocol organized by the Gambia Revenue Authority is underway at Ocean Bay Hotel in Bakau.
The training seeks to enable participants to understand the science and act of National and International Diplomacy, corporate Diplomacy and protocol component.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Yankuba Darboe, GRA Commissioner General, described it as significance and long overdue.
“The observance of certain protocols is necessary for the proper functioning of institutions and maintaining relations with other countries. It is in recognition of this fact that GRA decided to send some of its staff to undergo this very important training; with believe that the training will equip our staff with the necessary skills and competences required for diplomatic engagements with sister countries,” he said.
According to him, “GRA is one of the few national institutions that maintain a diplomatic presence in a foreign country. And by the nature of GRA mandate, especially international and cross border trade, we are required to maintain diplomatic relations with neighboring countries and treaty partners and where possible establish a diplomatic presence.”
As revenue officers are not just required to be honest and disciplined, he said they are also required to be courteous and diplomatic in their engagement with taxpayers and the citizenry at large.
The CG said the training will therefore expose participants to the ceremonial aspects of protocols, procedure, behaviour, etiquette, rules of order of precedence and dress code.
Also speaking at the training was Former Ambassador Ebrima Ousmane Ndure who is also Chief Executive Officer of Diplomacy Etiquette and Protocol Consulting (DEPC).
He reiterated that the training will cover, the art of protocol and diplomacy, the important of diplomacy protocol, social and communication protocol, dress code, planning and organizing ceremonies among other thinks.
He said the expected outcome of the training is to build self-confidence when meeting/ dealing with VIPs, enhance professional image and to perform/execute duties with excellence in a cross-cultural situation.