By Mama A. Touray
The Gambia through the Gambia Banker Association, on Thursday, 6th July 2023 at the Sir Dawda Kairaba JawaraInternational Conference Center, Bijilo hosted the 77th West African Bankers Association Executive Council meeting.
The daylong meeting was anchored on the theme, “An effective pan-African payment and settlement system: The role of Commercial Banks as critical stakeholders”.
Speaking at the opening of the daylong meeting, Nmandi C. Anioze, Vice President of the Bankers Association said “In the line of strengthening the financial sector objectives were formulated so that we, in the region, would jointly and severally have stronger financial institutions which are necessary to foster development. The integration for the sub-region that is on course cannot ignite without a stable banking sector”.
VP Anioze continued that amongst its functions and activities, West African Banker’s Association fosters the exchange of ideas and experiences in the banking and monetary fields mainly by organizing seminars, and short courses for promoting, and consultation among banks on themes that are relevant for development and strengthening of the West Africa Banking Sector.
“As part of its ongoing activities, I noted with satisfaction that WABA is undertaking the issue of the cross-border payments system which would have a tremendous effect on intra-regional trade in the sub-region. I am happy to be part of this meeting to gain further insight into this development. We, who make up the Banks in The Gambia, are also happy with the platform that WABA provides for us to collaborate and create healthy competition” he told the participants.
Dr. Guy Laurent Fondjo, president of the West African Bankers Association in his remarks told the participants that the West African Bankers Association (WABA) was created on August 10, 1981, by the Committee of Governors ECOWAS Central Banks, and brings together all primary banks, financial institutions, development banks, credit restitutions, and professional bodies of the Banks and other non-bank financial institutions in the region.
He added that the Association continues to play a critical role in the development of the financial sector and overall financial stability, through intermediation, and the promotion of efficient payment and settlement systems.
President Fondjo stated that to help execute their mandate, it will be highly appreciated if the honorable Minister and Governor of the Central Bank could assist West African Banker’s Association to expand its membership base as well as to encourage timely payment of contributions by commercial banks in the country through the support of the Central Bank of the Gambia when necessary.
For his part, executive secretary of the Gambia Bankers Association, Alhagie Jeng said the Institute of Bankers as a training arm of the Gambia Bankers Association serves as a local Centre for the conduct of chartered Institutes of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) examinations in the Gambia.
He added that the institution also provides a suitable and secure environment for the administration of the CIBN examination in the Gambia, security of examination questions and papers, proper supervision, invigilation, and monitoring of examinations are done by the Central Bank of the Gambia, with the support of Mr. Bernard James Manneh the registrar of the institute of Bankers.
