The Joint Public Accounts, Audit & Expenditure Committee (PAC) of the 55th Legislature has convened a two-day retreat at the Farmington Hotel, aimed at validating its consolidated report and setting the groundwork for the resumption of public hearings scheduled for 2025.
Running from Friday through Saturday, the retreat gathers lawmakers, technical staff, and key institutional stakeholders, including the General Auditing Commission (GAC), which is being represented by Deputy Auditor General Mr. Winsley S. Nanka.
During the opening session, PAC Chairman Hon. Clarence Gahr stressed the constitutional and statutory underpinnings of the committee’s work, citing Section 4 g of the General Auditing Commission Act of 2014. This section mandates that audit reports submitted by the Auditor General be reviewed by the Legislature, ensuring transparency and oversight in public financial management.
“The retreat allows us to finalize a comprehensive, evidence-based report, following a series of public hearings where witnesses were given the opportunity to clarify or defend audit findings,” Hon. Gahr said. “This process ensures that our recommendations are sound and actionable before forwarding them to the Executive for enforcement.”
Hon. Gahr also underscored the committee’s role under the Public Financial Management (PFM) regulations, which grant it the authority to independently draft and monitor the implementation of regulations over a 190-day period.
Speaking alongside the Chairman, Co-Chair Senator Amara Konneh noted that after validation of the consolidated report by the committee’s Secretariat, both Houses of the Legislature will move to Plenary for endorsement. The final document will then be transmitted to the President for appropriate executive action.
The retreat is scheduled to conclude on Saturday, June 22, 2025.
The PAC retreat reflects a continuing effort by the Legislature to promote fiscal discipline, accountability, and good governance in the management of public resources.
