The Audit Bench of the Supreme Court on May 16 organized an information workshop.

Representatives of civil society organizations and journalists from some media organs now better understand the best way of controlling the management of public finances and the societal responsibility of the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court in controlling finances. This is thanks to a one-day workshop organized by the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court at Hotel des Députés in Yaounde, May 16 within the framework of the Support Programme to Reform in Public Finances of the European Union, PARFIP.

The President of the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court, Ateba Ombala Marc in his opening statement said the workshop called, information day between the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court and representatives of civil society organizations and the media, was in its second edition. He explained that communication on the management of public finances was indispensable, stating that it was a means of modernizing public finance management.

Dr Nnanga Sylvestre Honoré, President of the Cameroon Association for Public Finances presented the CEMAC Directives of December 19, 2011 on the management of public finances in its six-member States. He said institutions concerned with public finances include the State, public institutions, public enterprises, semi-public enterprises, social security institutions, private institutions that function with the help of public funds, as well as local authorities. Talking about the control of public finance management in Cameroon, especially since the issuing of CEMAC directives, he cited institutions involved, types of control and sanctions. Dr Nnanga recommended the complete implementation of CEMAC directives in Cameroon, stating that the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court has to be raised to an Audit Court. This will make it the highest independent institution to handle cases of public finance management and ensure efficiency.

Another topic discussed was the societal responsibility of supreme institutions in charge of controlling the management of public finances, focusing on the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court in Cameroon. The last topic was the opinion of the Audit Bench of the Supreme Court on the Settlement bills tabled in Parliament.