PACs crucial—Keorapetse
Tsaone Basimanebotlhe | Tuesday October 25, 2022 10:59
Giving welcome remarks at the ongoing Southern Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (SADCOPAC) in Gaborone Keorapetse said PACs such as supreme audit institutions are an integral part of democratic systems. He said the Public Accounts Committees (PAC) have mammoth responsibilities of public financial oversight, thereby ensuring good governance including transparency, accountability, ethical integrity, and corruption prevention.
SADCOPAC is an association that comprises almost all Member States of SADC. Delegates from more than 10 different countries in the region and guests from beyond are attending the ongoing conference held at the Grand Aria Hotel from October 24 to 28. The theme of the conference and the Annual General Meeting (AGM) is 'Public Financial Management reforms to ensure accountability, opportunities and challenges'.
"This theme truly reflects the mandate of the Public Accounts Committees in our region as oversight Associations," Keorapetse said. Each conference is expected to end with the adoption of resolutions. The various solutions are an integral component of the association's Strategic Plan. The conference and the AGM will be held through six thematic sessions which are: Public Financial Management—the role of PAC, the role of Parliamentary Budget Offices, the role of Parliament in protecting public resources, the strategic role of multi-stakeholder partnerships for effective oversight, report on the implementation of the 13th annual conference resolutions, and the AGM.
Keaorapetse said hosting this year’s conference and AGM is an indication of the commitment to the objectives of SADCOPAC, which amongst others are sharing best practices and innovation, as well as harmonising and standardising the work of PAC in the SADC region. He is also the chairperson of PAC in Botswana.