The Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) of the National Assembly on Tuesday, 28 July 2026, directed the Board and Management of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) to immediately confirm the appointment of the agency's Executive Director. The directive was issued during the committee's scrutiny of the Medicines Control Agency’s activity reports and audited financial statements for the period 2021 to 2024. The committee's action shows its oversight role concerning public institutions.
Breach of Service Rules
The position of Executive Director at the Medicines Control Agency has been occupied in an acting capacity since August 11, 2023. This acting appointment has exceeded the six-month limit stipulated by Regulation 0502 of the MCA Service Rules. Regulation 0502 explicitly states that an acting appointment should not extend beyond a period of six months, after which the individual's appointment must either be confirmed or terminated. Members of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC) described this prolonged acting status as a violation of the agency’s service rules. Despite this, the Finance and Public Accounts Committee adopted the Medicines Control Agency’s activity reports and financial statements for the period under review.
Committee's Authority and Expectations
Committees of the National Assembly possess powers equivalent to those of a high court, enabling them to issue binding orders to government institutions. Hon. Kebba Tumanding Sanneh, a member of the Finance and Public Accounts Committee (FPAC), urged the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) management to formally follow up on the committee's recommendation for the immediate confirmation of the Executive Director. Hon. Sanneh instructed the management to share all related correspondence with the committee and to notify FPAC once the confirmation process was complete. He emphasized the urgency, stating, "You must immediately confirm and then all his dues will be paid." The committee has given the MCA Board and Management until August 18, 2026, to implement its recommendation and provide a report on the action taken. A representative from the MCA Board and Management acknowledged the directive, saying, "So we want to take your advice and as a board, look at it."
Agency's Response and Next Steps
The prolonged acting appointment of the Executive Director has been deemed a breach of the agency's service rules. Hon. Musa Cham cited Regulation 0502, arguing that the Board possesses the authority to confirm the appointment. "So this is not about a vacant position. This is a position that is occupied by one of your staff, and he needs to be confirmed," Hon. Cham stated, adding, "It is not about National Assembly Committee telling you to go ahead, we are telling you to go ahead and test those waters, because it is within your remits." In response, the MCA Board and Management indicated they would seek legal advice before making a decision, noting, "So we want to take your advice and as a board, look at it."
Broader Implications
Auditors recommended that the Board of the Medicines Control Agency (MCA) engage with relevant authorities to regularize the situation regarding the Executive Director's prolonged acting appointment. This recommendation also stipulated that the Board should report on the decision taken. The auditors' advice suggests a need for formal engagement between the MCA and external bodies to resolve the irregularity. This guidance shows the procedural expectations placed upon the agency's leadership to address the breach of service rules transparently and effectively. The directive from the Finance and Public Accounts Committee aligns with these recommendations, pushing for a definitive resolution to the Executive Director's status.