On 6th July, 2022, the Audit Committee of the Dept of Social Welfare (DSW) was inaugurated by the Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr. E.O. Osae.
Rev. Dr. Comfort Asare, the Director of the Dept in her opening remarks said the event marked a very important day in the life of the institution. She hinted that though the institution is saddled with a number of issues, the past Committee worked very hard to resolve most of them. She expressed confidence in the incoming Committee to assist the Dept deliver on its mandate. Rev. Dr. Asare added that she was grateful to have the Director-General inaugurate the Committee which demonstrates the importance the Agency attaches to the work of DSW.
The Director-General in delivering his address stated that the Audit Committee is a statutory institution provided under the PFM Act. He proceeded to outline the mandatory, advisory and supporting roles of the Committee. On the mandatory roles, Dr. Osae mentioned that members are to support Management to implement recommendations contained in Internal and External Audit Reports and directives from PAC of Parliament. He continued that the Committee is to submit a report on its operations annually which would be used to assess its performance for the first two years. He requested the Committee not to only pay attention to financial management but also performance management.
According to Dr. Osae, the advisory functions of the Committee include the provision of advice on sound financial and risk management practices. The supporting roles of members, Dr. Osae said, include supporting the Internal Audit Unit to develop and submit its annual work plan and other required reports on time to avoid the publication of the Dept’s name in the newspapers. He cautioned that it should not be said that during the tenure of the Committee, the institution’s name was published. He tasked members to consider the outstanding issues reported in the Auditor-General’s Report and provide solutions. The Director-General mentioned that the Dept is very critical to the country and that whether the social protection system will work or not depended a lot on the institution’s work. He therefore charged members to champion the course of the institution. He advised the Committee to assist DSW to weed out some of the mushroom Children Homes which have sprung up to milk vulnerable children.
In concluding, Dr. Osae advised members to work with passion for the betterment of unfortunate children and give back to society by serving well on the Committee.
In her closing remarks, Rev. Dr. Asare appreciated the work of the past Committee in ensuring leadership complied with required laws. She stated that she was hopeful the new Committee will work tirelessly to ensure the Dept’s name is not published as a defaulter. She pledged leadership’s support to the work of the Committee. She added that if members give off their best, they would be able to say that they have contributed to the development of Ghana.
Members of the Committee are Mr. Abddulai Faruku (ICAG Rep and Chairman), Madam Docia Yeboah Ababio (IAA Rep), Ms. Rita Anowuoh (IAA Rep), Madam Sulemana Lasiche and Mr. Godwin Mensah (DSW Reps). Madam Joyce Antwi is the Secretary of the Committee.
