Regional course on financial reporting opens in Accra
A week-long regional course on Economic and Financial Report Writing and Presentation Techniques, organised by the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) in collaboration with the Bank of Ghana is underway in Accra.
The training programme brought together 36 participants from Ghana, the Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone to empower them with the capacity to use communication as a tool for job effectiveness.
The focus of the course include developing report writers’ appreciation of the English language and enhance their competencies to structure, write and present effective economic and financial reports.
In a speech read on his behalf, Dr Ernest Addison, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, said effective communication fostered the development of skills and sensitivities that shaped social and political behaviour and enhanced cross-cultural relationships.
He was of the view that communication principles and practices can resolve or minimise dispute among nations, management and employees.
He said some of the incessant conflicts in the sub-region were the outcome of ineffective communication in the governance structure.
Dr Addison said it was important for managers to sharpen their communication skills to enable them pass information to the appropriate level of decision making.
He said data gathered but not effectively communicated and utilised well became worthless.
“Successful report writing requires professionalism, in-depth knowledge of the subject, concentration and exceptional writing skills,” he added.
He urged participants to make good use of the opportunity and internalise the various concepts and themes to enhance professional effectiveness in their countries.
Prof Akpan Ekpo, Director General of WAIFEM, said WAIFEM was established by the central banks of Ghana, The Gambia, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone in 1996 to build capacity for improved macroeconomics and financial management in the constituent member countries.
He said WAIFEM had commenced e-learning Diploma programme in Public Debt Management and French language and urged country’s to register for the programme.
Prof Ekpo said the topics for the course include communication process, grammar in writing, features of technical reports, legal issues in report writing, minutes writing and presentation skills.
Source: GNA