Toshaos briefed on importance of financial accountability

DPI, GUYANA, Thursday, August 24, 2017

Toshaos gathered for day four of the National Toshaos Council (NTC) Conference were briefed on the importance of being financially accountable by Lisa Thakurdin, an accountant attached to the Ministry of Indigenous Peoples’ Affairs.

Thakurdin highlighted that on many occasions, village councils lack accountability when conducting transactions. These include not keeping records of receipts of items purchased for the community and details of all community assets.

She explained that “it is expected that all village councils adhere to the financial rule and regulations and they should be guided by the Amerindian Act No.6 :03, 2006 which is governance. The Ministry implores all village councils to ensure that their bank accounts are operational and that various registers be maintained and up to date.”

Thakurdin highlighted that book keeping is an essential part of financial management and accountability. She explained that “a good book keeping system makes it possible for a village council to be financially accountable to all its important stake holders.” She further pointed out that “when financial rules and regulations are not adhered to, this causes the Permanent Secretary(PS) of the Ministry to be held accountable, since he is the accounting officer.”

Indigenous leaders were urged to place greater interest and emphasis in record keeping and accounting for the monies granted to them by the ministry.

Thakurdin also pointed out that accurate book keeping will allow for the communities to have easier access to Presidential grants and Community Development Projects from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB).

 

By: Isaiah Braithwaite