State Bodies Told To Act On Audit Reports

Edward Dua-Agyemang, Auditor-General, has reminded state institutions of the President’s directive to deal with outstanding internal and external audit recommendations by the end of June.

He said compliance with this directive would give Audit Report Implementation Committee (ARIC) the opportunity to focus on current risk control and governance issues that would add value to their institutions.

Mr Agyeman was addressing the opening of a five-day orientation programme for members of ARIC, drawn from the Greater Accra Region, in Accra yesterday.

About 80 participants from state institutions are attending the orientation organised jointly by the Ghana Audit Service, Internal Audit Service and the Institute of Internal Auditors, to give participants indepth understanding of the workings of ARIC.

ARIC is mandated to ensure the implementation of recommendations in audit reports of Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) as well as Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).

They also follow up Auditor-General and Public Accounts Committee’s recommendations as well as those contained in internal audit reports.

Section 30 (1) of the Audit Service Act 2000 (Act 584) require an institution, body or organisation which is subject to auditing by the Auditor-General to establish an ARIC.

Records at the Internal Audit Agency show that at the end of the first quarter of the year, the number of MDA and MMDA with established ARIC has increased from seven in 2005 to 101 to date.‘

Mr Agyeman said audit committees worldwide are recognised as important high level independent corporate governance committees which supported the audit function and also facilitate the achievement of the objectives of organisations.

'In Ghana’s Public Service, therefore, ARIC has a crucial role to play in the nation’s quest for good governance,' he added.

Patrick Nomo, Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, said audit committees are key elements in the corporate governance structure of organisations that strive for accountability and performance.

'It is our hope that by the end of the second quarter of this year, many more MDAs and MMDAs would have formed and made operational their ARICs,' he said.

Mr Nomo urged ARIC members to effectively play their roles and responsibilities to the best of their abilities.

There was presentation on the Internal Audit Agency ARIC operating guidelines intended to ensure that the participants appreciate the functions of the committee.