Minister cautions groups on financial accountability

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

Delivering the closing remarks, Marlene Malahoo Forte, state minister in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cautioned diaspora foundations that wish to raise funds to get their house in order before doing so.

"May I issue a word of caution, the diaspora foundations which are in existence, which have internal governance issues to sort out, including your financial statements and auditing, may I ask that you deal with those matters before you go raising additional funds?" she stressed.

"You understand when you raise money for charitable events, accountability is important. You have to deliver on the audit statement, you have to ensure that your foundation can withstand scrutiny," she further said.

Recommendations

According to the junior minister, the recommendations that were made will be looked at, sorted through and different stakeholders will be charged with the responsibility to implement them.

Dr Kenneth Baugh, Olivia Grange, Karl Samuda, Audley Shaw, Lisa Hanna and A.J. Nicholson, Police Commissioner Owen Ellington, members of the diplomatic corps and the private sector, were among those who attended the conference.

The topics discussed included youth and issues affecting them, such as unemployment, empowerment, education, health, crime and violence, challenges they faced, opportunities available, sports culture, investment and trade.