Members of Parliament across Africa gathered in Liberia for the African Organization for Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC) 4th General Meeting and Symposium from 31 October 2022 – 04 November 2022. AFROPAC comprises of Public Account Committees in African legislative Assemblies in enhancing parliamentary oversight.
On the first two days, AFROPAC held its symposium under the theme: Collect Comprehensively, Borrow Wisely, Spend Efficiently: Public Finance Oversight in a Time of Pandemic Recovery’. The symposium was opened by the Chairperson of AFROPAC Senator Emmanuel Nuquay. In his opening remarks Senator Nuquay warmly welcomed all the delegates and highlighted AFROPAC’s milestones in establishing itself. These milestones amongst many others include:
- AFROPAC’s involvement as one of the implementing partners of the African Union Commission Multi-Donor Action for the tackling tax related Illicit Financial Flows in Africa project which is co-funded by the European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland and the German Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development
- Memorandum of Understanding between AFROPAC and the Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA),
- The recruitment of Ms.Stephanie Mutisya, as Project Coordinator and Policy Officer for the Secretariat, the first full time staff member for AFROPAC.
The President of the Republic of Liberia H.E. George Weah, in his opening remarks at the 4th General Meeting and Symposium, highlighted the importance of AFROPAC in Africa in promoting and fostering accountable management of public accounts in Africa
Following the Symposium, AFROPAC hosted their general meeting to approve the amended constitution and elect a new Executive Committee. The elected members are:
- Chairperson – Hon. Medard Lubega, MP (Uganda)
- Deputy Chairperson – Hon. James Avedzi, MP (Ghana)
- Secretary General – Hon. Mark Botomani, MP (Malawi)
- Deputy Secretary General – Hon. John Mbadi, MP (Kenya)
- Treasurer General- Hon. Musa Kunene, MP (Eswatini)
- Deputy Treasurer General- Hon. Mohammed Kaba, MP (Guinea)
- EAAPAC Representative- Hon. Valens Muhakwa, MP (Rwanda)
- SADCOPAC Representative- Hon. Warren Mwambazi, MP (Zambia)
- WAAPAC Representative- Hon. Issakka Assoumane, MP (Niger)
In closing, the newly elected AFROPAC Chairperson Hon. Medard Lubega, thanked all the delegates for attending the 4th General Meeting and Symposium and encouraged members to work together for AFROPAC to succeed and thanked GIZ-Good Financial Governance Programme for the support and work with other partners such as the African Union, European Union, The Finland Foreign Ministry through the Illicit Financial Flow Initiative. AFROPAC will host its next 5th General Meeting and Symposium in 2024 and will be hosted in Côte d’Ivoire.
