By Fatou Sillah
The West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) and the Central Bank of the Gambia began a five-day training on developing leadership and management skills for middle-level officers and senior executives on Monday at a local hotel in Senegambia.
WAIFEM is a sub-regional capacity building organization established in 1996 by the central banks of five Anglophone West African countries. Its mission is to develop human and institutional expertise in macroeconomic, fiscal, debt, and financial management for central banks, ministries of finance and economic planning, and other public sector institutions with macroeconomic management responsibilities.
Speaking on behalf of the Governor of the Central Bank of the Gambia, Babucarr Cham, Director of Human Resources, said the course aims to develop leadership skills for the achievement of the organizational goals and objectives.
“Another important characteristic of good leadership is the ability to conceive team building. The best ways in getting assignments or things done is where a leader encourages teamwork and collaboration, inspires and motivates team members to make meaningful contributions towards the mission and vision of the organization. Great leaders work towards developing great teams. It is therefore apparent that leaders with these qualities can help build good working relationships amongst team members, have motivated and efficient workers to increase productivity and satisfaction” he said.
Dr. Alvin Johnson, Director, Governance and Institutional Development Department at WAIFEM, said developing leadership and management skills play a vital role in driving organizational success.
“By investing in leadership and management skills development, organizations can cultivate the essential skills and competencies required to navigate complex challenges, foster a positive work environment, and inspire their workforce to achieve their full potential. Leadership training empowers individuals to develop strong communication, decision-making, and problem-solving skills, enabling them to lead with confidence and adapt to ever-evolving demands,” he said.
The West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) and the Central Bank of the Gambia began a five-day training on developing leadership and management skills for middle-level officers and senior executives on Monday at a local hotel in Senegambia.