Gambiaj.com – (BANJUL, The Gambia) – The Government of The Gambia has achieved a significant milestone in public financial management after tabling its audited financial statements for the 2025 fiscal year within the constitutionally mandated six-month deadline, marking the first time in more than three decades that the requirement has been met.
Presenting the audited financial statements before the National Assembly on Monday, Finance Minister Seedy Keita said the timely preparation, audit, and submission of the government’s accounts underscored the country’s commitment to strengthening public financial management, enhancing transparency, and improving accountability in the use of public resources.
“For the first time in more than 30 years, the government financial statements have been prepared and audited within the statutory reporting timeline,” Keita told lawmakers.
The minister explained that the audited financial statements were prepared in accordance with the International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS) Cash Basis and in compliance with the Public Finance Act 2014. He said the reports provide a comprehensive account of government revenues, expenditures, financial commitments, and the overall financial position of the state for the year ending 31 December 2025.
Keita described the achievement as a historic milestone, noting that it fulfilled a longstanding objective of producing timely year-end financial reports that are relevant and responsive to the needs of government, oversight institutions, and the public.
“By meeting statutory deadlines, we have reinforced confidence in our public financial management systems and laid a strong foundation for continued reforms aimed at promoting sound governance and sustainable economic development,” he said.
The finance minister also disclosed that the quality of the government’s financial reporting had improved considerably, with the audit opinion advancing from an adverse opinion in previous years to a qualified opinion.
“This encouraging improvement will be leveraged in the coming years to graduate to a clean and unqualified opinion for the financial statements of the government of The Gambia,” he added.
Speaker of the National Assembly Fabakary Tombong Jatta praised the development, describing it as unprecedented during his years in Parliament.
“Throughout my years of parliamentary work, and even beyond, we have never had a situation where you are able to table an audited account of government within the six months stipulated by the Constitution and meet the deadline of 30th June. Congratulations. I think every Gambian should be proud of your work,” the Speaker said.
Lawmakers from both the government and opposition benches also welcomed the development, noting that Parliament had repeatedly called for the timely submission of audited public accounts. Several members described the achievement as a major step towards strengthening fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability.
Following the tabling of the documents, the National Assembly referred the 2025 Auditor General’s Report and the audited financial statements to the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) for detailed scrutiny. The committee is expected to review the reports and submit its findings and recommendations to the House.
If you would like, I can also make it read more like a newspaper front-page story with a stronger lead and additional context on the constitutional requirement and past delays.
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