The Audit Committee of the Births and Deaths Registry was inaugurated by Mr. William Offei-Mensah, Deputy Director-General in charge of Technical and Field Operations on behalf of the Director-General on 2nd August, 2022 at the Conference Room of the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD).
Members of the Committee are Nana Kena Ofori Atta (ICAG Rep and Chairman), Mr. Quatada Nashiru Mohammed (IAA Rep), Mr. Nicholas Osei Bonsu, Mr. Byron Nii Marte-Martey and Mr. Kwame Atsiavor, all of the Births and Deaths Registry.
The Chief Director of the Ministry, Ms. Marian W.A Kpakpah in her opening remarks spoke on the purpose of the meeting and congratulated the outgoing Committee for the role they played during their term. Mrs. Kpakpah encouraged the new team to work directly with the Ministry’s Audit Committee to ensure they are abreast with issues.
Mr. Offei-Mensah in addressing the meeting, said the Audit Committee is an important Committee established by the Public Financial Management Act. Among its responsibilities he listed three (3) key roles of the Committee as mandatory, advisory and supporting. On the mandatory role, Mr. Offei-Mensah said the Committee is to ensure the head of entity pursues the implementation of recommendations in Internal Audit Reports, External Audit reports, decisions of Parliament on the Auditor-General’s report and any monitoring report of the Registry brought to their attention.
On the advisory role, he encouraged members to use their expertise to advise Management on internal controls, governance processes and compliance with laws and regulations. With respect to the supporting role, he tasked the Committee to support the Internal Audit Unit to ensure timely submission of reports and be compliant with Internal Audit Regulations. The Deputy Director-General pointed out some of the flaws of the Registry and said they had to do with coordination and controls in the institution. Mr. Offei-Mensah tasked the Committee to work hard to ensure the implementation of government directives. He concluded by inviting Management to the 2022 Annual Internal Audit Conference to enable them appreciate and improve the practice of Internal Audit Practice.
The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Decentralization and Rural Development, Hon. Osei Bonsu Amoah on behalf of the Minister commended the Internal Audit Agency for its activeness and noted that the new wind blowing in the Agency is making it visible and thereby ensuring accountability and effective use of state resources. Hon. Osei-Bonsu Amoah added that the Committee is expected to work together with Management and all stakeholders as partners in development to guarantee effective and efficient management of public funds.
