Africa-Press – Gambia. The Office of the Auditor General reminded public institutions, including government projects and state-owned enterprises, on Tuesday that their financial statements for audit must be submitted by March 31, 2026, as required under the Public Finance Act of 2014.
In a statement, the office noted that the deadline is crucial to enable the National Audit Office to complete its audits and present the reports to the National Assembly by June 30, 2026, in accordance with the Constitution. Timely submissions, it said, are essential for producing audit reports that support informed decision-making and strengthen public accountability.
“This statutory requirement is crucial to enable the National Audit Office (NAO) to complete audits and submit reports to the National Assembly by June 30th, 2026, as mandated by Article 185(1) of the Constitution of the Republic of The Gambia. Timely submission of financial statements is essential to ensure that audit reports are produced and tabled in a timely manner, facilitating informed decision-making and promoting accountability,” said NAO.
The Auditor General, Cherno Amadou Sowe, acknowledged progress by some institutions that have met reporting timelines, contributing to faster audits and a reduction in backlogs. Still, the statement noted that many institutions continue to submit financial statements late or not at all.
The audit office stressed that financial statements must be credible, complete, and accurate, and prepared in accordance with an approved financial reporting framework. Poor-quality or unreliable submissions, it warned, undermine the audit process, delay reports, and weaken the integrity of public financial reporting.
The statement urged boards, management teams, accounting officers, and other stakeholders to ensure compliance, cautioning that institutions that miss the deadline could face penalties and sanctions.
The National Audit Office said it remains committed to conducting audits in line with international standards for supreme audit institutions and to promoting transparency, accountability, and sound public financial management.
The office is an independent constitutional body responsible for auditing government accounts and providing assurance on the use of public resources in The Gambia.
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