Fast Track Investigation Into Auditor General’s Complaints

A coalition of civil society organizations dedicated to the fight against corruption in Ghana, is calling on government to fast-track investigations into complaints of interference by the Auditor-General, Daniel Domelevo in his work.

“We have taken notice of the swift action of the President, once the matter became public, to investigate the matter, and we urge that this task is undertaken with alacrity to ensure the ongoing work of the Auditor General and the morale of the Service is not affected,” the group said in a statement.

The Auditor General petitioned the president complaining that the Board Chairman, Professor Edward Dua Agyeman is unlawfully interfering in his work making his work difficult.

A letter from the Auditor General written to the President, talks about several instances interference in his work by the Board Chair.

Subsequently, the Presidency set-up a committee to investigate the concerns expressed by Mr. Domelevo.

The CSOs coalition which includes the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, IMANI Africa, CDD-Ghana among others, described the development as “unfortunate.”

“We consider these developments extremely troubling and a threat to the ongoing efforts by the Audit Service to protect the public purse and promote public accountability. Article 187 (7) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana is very clear that in the performance of his functions, the Auditor General 'shall not be subject to the direction or control of any other person or authority'.”

The Coalition said it finds it unfortunate that Professor Dua Agyeman, a former Auditor General himself, credited with initiating important reforms at the Audit Service that has helped in building the institution to its current level “is the one implicated in this worrying situation.”

“…The Coalition wish to state unequivocally that it holds Mr. Daniel Domelevo and the staff of the Audit Service in high regard for the work they have embarked upon to ensure that our leaders are held accountable for how they utilize public resources. If we are going to seriously achieve a Ghana Beyond Aid we need a stronger and more committed Audit Service and Auditor-General. We hope that at the end of this process we would have taken positive steps in that direction,” the statement added.

I'm not undermining Auditor General – Board Chairman

Meanwhile, the Board Chairman of the Audit Service Board, Professor Edward Dua Agyeman, has denied allegations that he is interfering with the work of Auditor General, Daniel Yaw Domelevo.

He rather alleged that the Auditor General is sidelining the board where they should be included in his work.

“We have also submitted a letter to the president concerning the same issues of non-cooperation and one of the issues is that when he travels he doesn't tell us. We don't know when he travels and what he goes to do and so on,” he said.