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I am pleased to address you on the occasion of International Fraud Awareness Week, which is observed globally on the 12th -18th November 2023. This week is important for institutions like ours as it provides the opportunity to strengthen our commitment to zero tolerance for fraud. We must remain accountable to our donors, partners and the communities we serve. It is a time to raise awareness on fraud and how to combat it in all its forms in order to foster a culture of integrity within our Unit and the broader research community.

Fraud remains a pervasive and ever-evolving challenge in today's world. The impact of fraud extends far beyond financial losses, affecting individuals, partnerships, and reputation. Therefore, our proactive participation in this campaign shows our dedication to prevent fraud and protect the interests of our Unit and stakeholders.

Our objectives for International Fraud Awareness Week are multi-fold:

• Raise Awareness: We will use this week to engage staff in meaningful conversations about various forms of fraud, their consequences, and the role each of us can play in preventing and reporting fraudulent activities.
• Education: We will conduct awareness programs, including a seminar and share quick facts to educate our staff on how to recognize red flags, the latest fraud trends, and best practices for preventing fraud in their respective roles.
• Promote Reporting Channels: We are especially encouraging whistleblowers and will provide clear, confidential reporting channels as an integral component of our fraud prevention strategy. We will reiterate the importance of reporting suspicious activities and ensure that these reports are handled with the utmost discretion.
• Policy Reinforcement: We will take this opportunity to reinforce our anti-fraud policies and procedures, ensuring that they are known and understood by every member of our Unit. Any necessary updates or improvements will also be communicated.
• International Fraud Awareness Week is a reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in preventing fraud. By working together, we can build a more resilient, trustworthy, and secure environment for the health research we continue to deliver to transform health outcomes in The Gambia and beyond.

• I encourage every member of MRCG to actively participate in the various activities planned for this week. Together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against fraud.

   

  Thank you for your support and commitment to this important cause. Let's use this opportunity to reinforce our dedication to integrity and fraud prevention.