By Binta Jaiteh
Mr. Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of the Gambia Revenue Authority (GRA) on Tuesday presided over the opening ceremony of the World Customs Organization for West and Central Africa Region’s Expert of the Finance and Audit Committee Meeting, held at Bakadaji Hotel in Kotu.
Addressing the gathering CG Darboe said the Expert Meeting offers an opportunity for the experts to review the activities of the WCO-WCA Region and make recommendations to the Directors General’s Conference for adoption and implementation.
“This means that the success of the Directors General’s Conference depends on the outcome of the Expert Meeting and their hard work will reflect positively on the success of the Conference. As the theme of this year’s conference focuses on knowledge sharing.”
However, the CG stated that as a seasoned Customs officer, he is particularly interested in the initiative to build up and transfer knowledge to the next generation of Customs Officials in the Region, noting the theme for this year’s conference is therefore apt and profound.
“I am a firm believer that the young generation of Customs Officers is the future leaders of our various Customs Administrations, and we must enhance their capacity and skill set to be able to meet up with the fast-changing business environment. We are all aware that there is a continental agenda to integrate our economies, and this will require an increased level of cooperation among our various Customs Administrations,” he explained.
On his part, Njebi Vincent Kwalar, Regional Development Manager urged them not to lose sight of the set goal and the message thus passed must continue to resonate clearly in their minds as they seek practical ways to put these precepts in motion.
