Finance Managers of INDEPTH Member Centres Benefit from Workshop
"I have learnt so much in these 3 days and I hope to strengthen our relationships going forward!" A participant at the workshop exclaimed.
Vadu Rural Health Program (A division of KEM Hospital (Research) Centre, Pune) in collaboration with INDEPTH Network organized a 3 day-workshop from 6th-8th July, for finance mangers of INDEPTH member centres on the theme: "Building a transparent and credible research institution in the South, the contribution of the Finance Manager."
The above comment from the participant is a clear indication that the workshop truly achieved its purpose of fostering closer collaboration among member centres, strengthening leadership capabilities and building the capacity of finance managers working in Health and Demographic Surveillance Systems centres.
The workshop took place at the Hotel Phoenix, Pune with 23 participants from member centres in various countries in Africa and Asia. An organisational team led by the Senior Accounts and Admin. Manager of KEMHRC, Mrs. Rajalaxmi dedicated their time and support to ensure a productive programme.
Dr. Sanjay Juvekar Senior Health Scientist and vice chair of INDEPTH Network's Board, opened the workshop with a call on the finance managers to work as one unit despite their different environments. He said he expected the workshop to help them better understand and appreciate INDEPTH finance systems so as to be able to manage collaborative and cross-site activities.
Presentations on various accounting systems and procedures were made by Mrs. Rajalaxmi, Casimir Ouedraogo (Burkina Faso), Sadiya Ooni and Luvantherie Naidoo (South Africa) and Michael Jacko Kibuuka (Uganda).
Mr. Sixtus Apaliyah, Finance and Admin. Manager at INDEPTH Secretariat made a presentation on the Code of Ethics of Professional Accountants, while Mrs. Felecia Manu outlined the processes for grant making. Messrs. Adam Osman and Raymond Akparibo also spoke eloquently about the relevance of IPSAS in public sector institutions.
There were very fruitful discussions on: "Good corporate governance in research institutions; the finance manager's contribution in health research institutions as well as "Roles and responsibilities of finance managers in fund-raising". Further discussions were held on the following: "Reporting requirements of donors", "Globalization and its impact on NGOs" and "Internal controls in financial management".
Finally to crown it all there was a field visit to the Vadu Rural Health Program and a short film on VRHP. On the workshop gave participants greater insights into various activities at Vadu. The interactive nature of the programme made it possible for new approaches to found financial practices to be explored. This will go a long way to make the managers and the centres more accountable to donors and partners.