The Director of Finance and Accounting at the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA), Alhajie Saihou Denton, has been unanimously re-elected as Chairman of the Finance Committee of the World Customs Organization for the second term to provide rightful direction and sound financial management system for the World Customs Organizations.
He was re-elected due to his commitment, dedication and length of experience in the management of finance and Accounting.
When it came to the election of the chairman and Vice Chairman for the new term, Mr. Denton was nominated by the United States, seconded by Canada, supported by EU, United Kingdom, Japan, China, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Portugal, Russia among others, at end, he was unanimously elected as chairman once again, with Mr. Raju Boddu of Antigua and Barbuda as Vice Chairman of the Finance committee of World customs.
This development emanated at the end of the 106th session of the Finance committee of World Customs organization held at Brussels from the 4th to 7th April 2022.
GRA Director of Finance and Accounting was accompanied to the session by his two deputy directors, Sarja Camara and Isatou Dampha respectively.
Mr. Denton is the current chairman of the Finance committee of the World customs organization, a body of 184 nations, as well as the chairman of the finance committee of WCO, West and central African region. Mr. Denton is the first African to have ever held both positions at the same time.
He successfully chaired the finance committee to tackle various critical issues of the WCO including financial statements, budgets, investments, membership contributions, capital expenditure and investments in information technology, and funding of the new strategic plan.
Mr. Denton was personally thanked by the WCO Secretary General, Mr, Kunio Mikuriya, and fellow finance committee members as an excellent chair who competently steered the session through difficult issues and managed to get consensus amongst members with sometimes very divergent views. His re-election drew much praises from his peers for his financial acumen.
Commenting on this latest development, the Commissioner General GRA Yankuba Darboe confirmed that Mr. Alhajie Saihou Denton re-election saying re-appointing Mr. Denton was not a surprise to him for the fact that he’s a competent Accountant and he was able to achieve a lot during the first term of his appointment.
He disclosed that he deserved the re-appointment as the chairman of the finance committee of World Customs Organization. He praised Mr. Denton for his firm commitment, dedication and experience. He, therefore, commended Denton and his team for making not only GRA Proud but The Gambia as a whole.
Reacting to his re-appointment, Mr. Denton said he’s extremely pleased that his contributions to the WCO Finance Committee is recognized and rewarded by the WCO. “I have served the committee for 9 years, with 2 years as the Vice Chair and 1year as the chairman. It is equally pleasing that I am also steering the affairs of the Finance Committee of the WCO West and Central regional body as Chairman.”
He further expressed delights saying “I am very proud to continue flying the GRA and Gambian flags in such a high international domain”.
He however thanked the Commissioner General of GRA for his sound leadership and for having the confidence and foresight in selecting him 9 years ago to represent GRA at the WCO Finance committee.
