By Fatou Sillah
The Gambia Revenue Authority welcomed attendees to the 12th meeting of Training and Human Resource Managers from the World Customs Organization (WCO) for West and Central Africa (WCA) on Wednesday.
Held at a local hotel in Kololi, this event focused on the theme, “The Regional Strategy for Human Resources Management in the Context of Digitalization and Workforce Planning.”
Throughout the three-day meeting, participants will engage in discussions on best practices, address challenges, and examine trends in HR management. The agenda also includes an evaluation of the regional HR strategic plan, with an emphasis on human capital, technology, and digital transformation.
In his opening remarks, Yankuba Darboe, Commissioner General of the GRA, underscored the vital role of human resources within any organization.
“It is evident that the greatest resource of our administrations is our workforce. Human resources are the lifeblood of any organization. Their competence, commitment, and motivation drive productivity and, ultimately, success. The Gambia Revenue Authority has recognised the importance of investing in its workforce. Through our commitment to training, development, and employee well-being, we have cultivated a competent, motivated, and taxpayer-focused team. Through our commitment to training, development, and employee well-being, we have achieved significant results. These results can be attributed to our focus on creating a positive and supportive work environment. Our Human Resource Information System (HRIS) has been instrumental in streamlining HR processes and providing valuable insights for decision-making. Additionally, our competency-based approach to training has resulted in the development of a comprehensive Training Policy and Strategy. These initiatives have enabled us to ensure that our employees have the skills, knowledge and attitude to excel in their roles,” he stated.
Darboe emphasized the significance of the gathering, noting its relevance and timeliness.
“Over the next three days, we will have the opportunity to share best practices, identify common challenges, and explore emerging trends in human resources management. By working together, we can develop a more effective and efficient regional strategy.
“It is therefore gratifying to note that over the next 3 days, you will be reviewing the implementation of the Regional HR Strategic Plan to establish the “regional trends”, successes and challenges, and map out the way forward,” he concluded.