Financial Crime World

BVG-Mali Must Demonstrate Added Value in Fight Against Corruption

Mali has been at the forefront of the fight against corruption for over a decade, with the Bureau Veritas Group (BVG)-Mali playing a crucial role. However, it is essential that BVG-Mali demonstrates its added value in this effort and adapts public finance oversight to the budgetary and accounting reforms underway.

Efforts to Promote Transparency and Accountability

In addition to its core mandate, BVG-Mali has taken on new audit areas such as evaluating public policies. This ensures that its reports are more comprehensive and effective. The organization’s dedication to promoting gender equality is also commendable, with efforts to recruit more female employees and assess Mali’s National Gender Policy.

Challenges and Opportunities

Despite these efforts, there is still a significant gap in representation. Of 113 officers, only 23% are women, while out of 40 auditors, there are only 7 women (17.5%). This underrepresentation can be attributed to broader societal factors, including the lack of women in public service and auditing fields.

Lessons Learned from Decade-Long Partnership

The partnership between Canada and Mali has been a success story, with many lessons learned over the years. These include:

  • Transitioning from a first project to a sustainable institution requires budgetary support.
  • Maintaining ongoing dialogue with Mali’s political authorities is crucial for supporting BVG-Mali.
  • Capacity building is essential for ensuring BVG-Mali’s credibility and effectiveness.
  • Cooperation with civil society, the press, the judicial system, and Parliament is necessary for increasing the scope of reports and popularizing them.

Conclusion

As the fight against corruption continues to be a long-term effort, it is vital that BVG-Mali and its partners remain committed to this cause. With the right support and resources, the institution can continue to make a significant impact in Mali’s public finance sector.

Sources

  • Bill 2012-009, enacted on February 8, 2012
  • Memorandum of Understanding between the Government of Canada and the Government of Mali concerning support for BVG-Mali, January 2008
  • Auditor General of Mali’s Work Plan

The author would like to extend gratitude to the following individuals who assisted in creating this impact story:

  • Staff of Global Affairs Canada
  • Staff of the Field Support Services Project (FSSP)
  • Abdoul Aziz Aguissa, Secretary General of the Office of the Auditor General of Mali
  • Fatoumata Bintou Samaké Bouaré, President of WILDAF-Mali
  • Julien Bouzon, Team Lead, Economics and Governance, Delegation of the European Union to Mali
  • Moustapha Cissé, Attorney, former President of the Malian Human Rights Association (AMDH)
  • Boubacar Coulibaly, Chair of the Committee in Charge of Following Up on the Recommendations Issued by the Group of States Against Corruption
  • Sékou Diané, National Director of Financial Control, Ministry of Economy and Finance
  • Mahamadou Diarra, former Advisor, Program Support Unit, Embassy of Canada to Mali
  • Sidi Sosso Diarra, former Auditor General of Mali
  • Ismaël Diawara, Communications Officer, Office of the Auditor General of Mali
  • Abdourahim Dicko, Examining Magistrate of the Economic and Financial Pole of the District of Bamako’s Commune III high courts
  • Maroun Abou Fayçal, former Sector Head in Governance, Canadian-Mali Program
  • Kloussama Goïta, President of the SCCS
  • Ibrahim Mohamed Gueye, Journalist-Reporter for the Prétoire newspaper
  • Salimata Diakité Konaté, General Public Services Comptroller
  • Konimba Sidibé, former Minister, Comptroller General
  • Sombé Tera, Secretary General of the Ministry of Justice