The Audit Committee for the Right to Information Commission (RTIC) was inaugurated on the 26th October, 2023 at the Commission’s Conference room. Mr. Samuel Gyekye-Mensah a Deputy Director of the Agency inaugurated the Committee on behalf of the Director-General.
Mr. Yaw Sarpong Boateng (Esq), the Executive Secretary of the Commission in his opening address welcomed all to the Commission. He noted his excitement at the constitution of the Committee’s membership and thanked them for accepting to serve on the Commission’s Audit Committee.
He shared a brief history of the Commission and the mandate for its establishment.
Members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Hayford Dowuona Hammond (Chairman and IAA Rep.), Ms. Loretta Tieku Anokye (IAA Rep.), Mr. Kwadwo Baafi Owusu (ICAG Rep). Madam Elizabeth Asare and Mr. David Opari-Kusi are representatives of the RTIC Board. Ms. Maame Korley Ampofo is the Secretary to the Committee.
Mr. Gyekye-Mensah in a speech read on behalf of the Director-General congratulated the members for agreeing to serve on the Committee. In his address, he said the Audit Committee is a high-level corporate governance committee that contributes to the effectiveness of public accountability and the appropriate use of public resources. He noted that the Audit Committee for the RTI Commission was being inaugurated to fulfill its responsibilities imposed on them under Section 86 (1) of the PFM Act, the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378), the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended, the Guidelines for Effective Functioning of Audit Committees and other applicable financial laws.
Mr. Gyekye-Mensah added that systems for public financial management are essential for an open and accountable government and an efficient system for managing public funds anchors the country from running into the risk of underdevelopment. He enumerated the three roles of the Committee as Mandatory, Advisory and Support to the Internal Audit Unit and other internal monitoring Units.
On the Mandatory roles, Mr. Gyekye-Mensah said the Committee is to ensure the timely submission of mandated Audit reports, prepare and submit an annual report of the activities of the Audit Committee and an Annual statement of the status of implementation endorsed by the Sector Minister to the Principal Account Holder (PAH); Minister for Finance; Office of the President; Auditor-General; and the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament; Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency.
On the Advisory role, the Committees is to advise Management on Financial Management, Risk Management Practice, Internal Control, Governance Processes and Compliance with Laws, Regulations, and Policies.
Concluding his address, Mr. Gyekye-Mensah noted the Audit Committee’s importance in the governance of the Commission and the need for the backing of Management and all stakeholders to carry out their mandate to achieve effective management of public funds. He encouraged Management of the Commission to orient members on the activities of the Commission and encouraged members to bring their expertise to bear in supporting the Commission.
The Executive Secretary in his closing remarks congratulated members and pledged his unwavering support.
