The General Auditing Commission (GAC) has officially commenced a full-scale audit of Grand Bassa County and Social Development Funds, covering 2018 through 2023. The audit, which marks a critical step towards strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of local resources, follows a formal request from Hon. J. Clarence T. Banks, Representative of District #2, Grand Bassa County.
Representative Banks expressed concern over the need for a thorough review of how funds allocated for county and community development were managed over the past five years. Responding, Auditor General, Mr. P. Garswa Jackson, Sr., in a communication to Rep. Banks, confirmed that the audit process is already underway. He assured that the GAC remains committed to upholding its constitutional mandate of promoting fiscal integrity and ensuring that public resources are used for their intended purposes.
“The Commission views this audit as an opportunity to not only review the financial management of Grand Bassa’s development funds but also to provide citizens with a transparent account of how these resources have been utilized to impact local communities,” Auditor General Jackson noted. The audit will examine allocations, disbursements, and expenditures related to both the County Development Fund (CDF) and the Social Development Fund (SDF), assessing compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and established financial procedures.
The GAC also emphasized that the findings of the audit will be made public upon completion and will serve as a tool for both corrective action and future reforms aimed at strengthening local governance. Representative Banks has welcomed the Commission’s swift response, stating that the audit will restore public confidence in the management of development resources and ensure accountability to the people of Grand Bassa.
The General Auditing Commission reaffirmed its role as an independent guardian of Liberia’s public financial management system and called for the cooperation of all stakeholders in the ongoing audit exercise.
