South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Denis Ejulu
The Bank of South Sudan (BoSS) continues to spread its tentacles across the country in a bid to bring services to the people.
On Friday last week, the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan, Dr.James Alic Garang led a high-level delegation consisting of board members and directors at the central bank to lay the foundation stone for the first- ever training institute for banking and finance in Wau town of Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
The occasion was witnessed by Sarah Cleto, the Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal State and State ministers and other local authorities.
James Alic Garang, the Governor of the Bank of South Sudan while speaking during the ceremony to lay the foundation stone, said the Bank of South Sudan is determined to take financial services to the people.
“Today marks a significant milestone in the history of banking and finance in South Sudan, as we gather to lay the foundation stone for the institute for banking and finance, this momentous occasion does not only symbolize our commitment to development of banking, but also underscores the dedication of nurturing a skilled workforce that is critical to drive economic growth and development as well as prosperity for our country,” said Garang.
He said the institute upon inauguration will enhance the capabilities of banking professionals, equipping them with knowledge and skills needed to navigate the complexities of today’s financial industry.
“Broadly through this institute, the Bank of South Sudan aims to provide world class education and training programs, that will empower our workforce to meet the evolving demands of the banking sector,” said Garang.
By investing in human capital development we are not only investing in the future of our financial institutions but also in the whole economic development of South Sudan and this is a vision that we take to heart like a duck to water.
He lauded the State government for supporting the Bank of South Sudan to establish the institute for banking and finance.
“From the day, this fence was put until today the leadership of the State has been very resolute and the people of Wau have been resolute,” said Garang.
Garang also encouraged South Sudanese to diversify their source of livelihoods in order to increase their income.
“We should not depend on one source of revenue/livelihood, we must diversify our sources of livelihood and we have those things in abundance in this country particularly in Wau, we are all called upon to invest, let us do everything we can this year to ensure that local production is boosted not like the way it has been before, this is the way to ensure shared prosperity,” he disclosed.
.Alangi Stephen Ogut, a member of the board of directors of the Bank of South Sudan, said the presence of the training institute falls in line with the vision of the central bank in extending services to the people.
“I know you are already receiving services of the Bank of South Sudan here, and we are here to add more services which is the institute of banking and finance,” she disclosed.
Ogut said the training institute for banking and finance is going to cut expenses for trainees from greater Bahr El Ghazal region who have over the years been traveling to Juba, and other neighboring countries for training in finance and banking.
Sarah Cleto, Governor of Western Bahr El Ghazal State thanked Dr James Alic Garang for leading the Bank of South Sudan in the right direction.
“For us in Wau, I want to assure you that with all our support we shall stand with you as you construct this banking institute. When you want to develop a country you need to build the capacity of the human resources, and this is exactly what you are planning to do and I hope in a few weeks to come this building will be standing and will be receiving many of our skilled human resources coming to learn at this institute,” said Cleto.
Cleto noted that the construction of the training institute for banking and finance would have taken place in the absence of the prevailing peace and tranquility in Western Bahr El Ghazal State.
“Without peace and stability, you cannot achieve development. From now on we will be very happy welcoming new trainees to Wau, and we will be seeing Wau busy with people coming in and going out,” she disclosed.
Wani Buyu Dyori, a member of the Board for the Bank of South Sudan, said the training institute for banking and finance is part of the many dividends of peace in the country.
“We are here to bring the dividends of peace in South Sudan, and with this we should be happy that we in the Bank of South Sudan we are extending service in education, so all the priority institutions in South Sudan will definitely benefit from this institute,” said Buyu.
He praised Dr. James Alic Garang for doing a very wonderful job at the helm of the bank since his appointment by President Salva Kiir.
Mary Jervase Yak, a member of the Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA) representing Western Bahr El Ghazal State, said the training institute for banking and finance will provide opportunity to equip people with knowledge and skills.
“Wau was chosen for a purpose as I said before, the people of Wau will benefit from it and all the people of South Sudan, so we should appreciate this initiative. In a few months we shall see this building up and running, and maybe we shall come back in a few months to inaugurate it,” she said.