By Mohamed Konneh
The West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) on Monday 13th October, 2025 began a 5-day regional training on Public Sector Debt Statistics, Government Securities Markets, and Transparency. The programme was held at the New Brookfield’s Hotel in Freetown bringing together participants from West African countries, including Liberia, Ghana, Gambia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.
In his welcome address Dr. Gabriel Y. Asante representing the Director General of WAIFEM Dr. Baba Y. Musa on behalf of the Management and Staff of WAIFEM thanked participants for coming, adding that it’s an important regional training on Public Sector Debt Statistics, Government Securities Market, and Transparency.
He also thanked the Government and people of the Republic of Sierra Leone for their gracious hospitality in hosting such programme.
‘’The global financial landscape is fast evolving, with public debt and government securities markets playing increasingly crucial roles. In his context, robust debt statistics provide the foundation for informed decision making, effective risk management, accountability, transparent and efficient government securities markets,’’ he said.
Dr. Asante noted that this has created a pressing need for dept. managers who deeply understand the intricacies of these markets and the vital importance of transparency in these domains to engender investor confidence, macroeconomic stability, and growth.
‘’Our core institutional mandate is to build the capacity of public sector officials in compiling, analysing, and disseminating public sector debt statistics while fostering a deeper understanding of government securities markets and the importance of transparency. It will ultimately contribute to more effective debt management practices and well-functioning securities market,’’ Dr. Asante emphasized.
The training also strengthen participant understanding of the conceptual framework, definitions, and methodologies for compiling Public Sector Debt Statistics (PSDS) in accordance with international standards, Equip participants with tools and techniques to analyse public debt sustainability, risk and vulnerabilities.
The training also provide participants with insights into functioning of primary and secondary markets for government securities, including issuance mechanisms, trading practices and pricing dynamics. It create a platform for networking and knowledge sharing among participants from different countries, facilitating regional debt management and market development cooperation.
Dr. Asante also highlights the theme to be covered under the training, Overview of international standards and guidelines, including the IMF Public Sector Debt Statistics Guide and the World Banks Debts Statistics Manual. Classification of debt instruments, institutional coverage, valuation methods, and accounting principles. Marketing development and investor base diversification. Debt transparency and accountability.
He highlighted some of WAIFEMs ongoing efforts to remain relevant and forward looking In line with 2021 – 2025 Strategic Plan, and following its independent mid- term review in 2004, they have taken decisive steps to realign training portfolio to reflect emerging global and regional priorities.
Since the inception of the current Strategic Plan, WAIFEM has conducted 320 training programmes, benefiting nearly 10,700 participant across our member’s countries. We are also proud of the strides we are making in gender inclusivity, with women now constituting 42 percent of participants, up from 27% in earlier year.
WAIFEM according to Dr. Asante, is keenly aware of the daunting challenges our region faces.
‘’The realities of climate change, the disruptive impact of digital technologies, and the shifting currents of the global economy. We will therefore continue to refine our training to remain innovative, responsive, and transformative,’’ he said.
In his keynotes address for and on behalf of the Bank governor Dr Ibrahim Stevens, the Director, Human Resource Department Bank of Sierra Leone Mr. Crispin Denison – George welcome Dr. Baba Y. Musa, the Director General of WAIFEM, and his team for organizing such a training noting that they greatly appreciate WAIFEMs steadfast commitment to strengthen institutional capacity across the West African sub- region.
‘’We are grateful to WAIFEM, for selecting Freetown, as the venue for this training program.
He stated that hosting this training is not just a privilege for Sierra Leone, but also, a testament to the share vision we hold as a region, that through cooperation, knowledge- sharing, and capacity building we can collectively strengthen our financial systems and secure the prosperity of our people.
‘’To the facilitators and participants, I extend a special welcome to you all, and trust that your stay will be both productive and memorable. The foundational to economic stability and sustainable development Public Sector Debt Statistics, Government Securities Markets, and Transparency, whilst emphasizing its importance to our respective jurisdictions simplify its analysis by use of a more common everyday example,’’ he said.
The Bank of Sierra Leone representative encouraged all to build professional networks across the region, for our challenges and shared, and so too must our solution be. And he said it is now my distinct honour and pleasure to declare the Regional Training on Public Sector Debt Statistics, Government Securities Markets, and Transparency, organized by WAIFEM open.
Mr. Khalilu Bah, Programme Manager, Fiscal Policy, Debt Management and Regional Integration Department at WAIFEM expresses gratitude to the Governor, Bank of Sierra Leone managements and staffs for all the assistance given to WAIFEM towards the execution of the program and also the Sub region representatives for making this possible for this program.
