The Board Chairman and Management of the Internal Audit Agency on 10th February, 2023 paid a courtesy call on Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Vice President of the Republic of Ghana.
Mr. Joseph Winful, Board Chairman of the Agency in his address stated that the purpose of the visit was to thank him for gracing the 2022 Annual Internal Audit Conference and to update him on issues at the Agency. He said the presence of the Vice President at the Conference was a great honour done the Agency. Mr. Winful appreciated Dr. Bawumia’s understanding of the role of Internal auditing and its benefit to the country. He spoke on the challenges encountered with the passage of the IAA Bill and requested the assistance of the Vice President for it to be passed. The Board Chairman presented a framed picture of the Vice President as a token from the Agency in appreciation for honouring the invitation.
Dr. Oduro Osae, the Director-General in his addressed thanked the Vice President for taking time off his busy schedule to meet with the team. He enumerated the status of the activities at the Agency as follows:
1. Elimination of “ghost names” from government payroll through a collaborative exercise with the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) on the Electronic Salary Payment Voucher (ESPV) assignment.
2. Deployment of a Government Fixed Assets Evaluation Platform.
3. Property Rate Mobilization.
4. Mobilization of Withholding Tax payments.
5. Establishment of Audit Committees.
6. Declaration of losses and payment of bonuses by State-Owned Enterprises
7. Adoption of IPPF in Ghana.
8. Structuring of Internal Audit Systems within the Security Agencies.
Dr. Osae mentioned that the Ghana Revenue Authority has been able to mobilise over 4.5 million Ghana Cedis in audit payments on withholding tax. He stated that he was happy with the Fiscal Consolidation Measures Guidelines issued by the government as it would save the government lots of funds. In concluding, he informed the Vice President of the low Conditions of Service of Internal Auditors and the benefits the salary rationalisation will bring to them and the country as a whole.
Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia expressed his appreciation for the warm reception he received at the Agency’s 2022 Annual Internal Audit Conference.
Dr. Bawumia assured his support to the Agency and promised to follow-up and ensure the passage of the Bill. The Vice President mentioned that he was also happy with the property rate mobilisation and was therefore committed to ensuring its implementation. He appreciated the efforts of the Agency and pledge to champion its course.
