Britain Invites Auditor-General

The Auditor-General, Edward Dua Agyeman, yesterday left Accra for London to attend the inaugural meeting of the Construction Sector Transparency Initiative (COST), at the invitation of the British Government.

The one-day meeting, which takes place tomorrow, would be the first time all the key people involved in COST, including developing countries, civil society groups and the construction industry, would come together to discuss the initiative and plan for the launch of COST this October.

COST aims at increasing transparency and accountability in construction procurement globally.

Building on the success of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, it aims to work with all those involved - public, private and non-government - to ensure good quality, lasting infrastructure is built at reasonable cost in participating countries.

COST would place particular emphasis on the effective involvement of civil society and the private sector.

According to the UK Department for International Development, tomorrow's meeting would be an opportunity to discuss COST with other senior stakeholders, to hear about progress in terms of design and pilots, and to help in shaping the initiative including the option of volunteering to take part in a COST pilot.

In a pre-departure interview, Mr Agyeman said the fact that he was invited to share his expertise with others indicated the strides the country's Audit Service was making.

By Sylvanus Nana Kumi