The Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr E.O. Osae inaugurated the Audit Committee of National Service Secretariat (NSS) on Tuesday, June 4th, 2024, at the boardroom of the Secretariat. The Executive Director of the NSS presided over the meeting.
In his opening address, Hon. Osei Assibey Antwi warmly welcomed the members and highlighted the importance of Audit Committees. He shared the history of the Scheme stating the challenges and changes the Scheme is going through. The Executive Director noted the high turnover rate of its employees and said the Scheme has lost about one hundred and twenty-six (126) staff. He said the NSS was working on processes of becoming an Authority and implored the support of the Committee.
In addressing the forum, Director General of the Internal Audit Agency highlighted the three key roles of the Audit Committee as provided for in the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) as mandatory, advisory and supporting. He said the Audit Committee is a Statutory Committee created under the Public Financial Management Act to support the Board and management to deliver on its mandate.
He clarified that the mandatory role required the Audit Committee to implement recommendations from Internal Audit reports, External Auditors reports, directives from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament if any. The Committee is also to produce and submit an annual report indicating the number of reports considered, recommendations implemented and outstanding recommendations to the Office of the President, Parliament, the Auditor-General and the Director-General of the Agency before or by 30th June.
Dr. Osae advised members to take attention to the contents of the report due to the recipients of the report. He tasked members to work with Management to implement all recommendations before reports go out, so the institution is not invited to PAC. He tasked the Committee to make time to join Management at entry and exit meetings of External Auditors to help resolve issues in audit reports before they come out in the final report.
On the advisory role, the Director-General tasked the Committee to advise the Management of the Institution to conform with the PFM Act. He tasked them to bring their expertise to bear.
Speaking on the supporting role, Dr. Osae encouraged the committee to support the Internal Auditor in delivering of his mandate. He shared on the ongoing interventions in Public Sector Internal Audit and informed the meeting of the Agency’s new office.
The Director-General extended his sincere appreciation to the Audit Committee members for their willingness to serve.
The inauguration concluded with remarks from the Executive Director thanking the outgone committee for their support and incoming committee for availing themselves to support Mother Ghana.
The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Alfred Osei Kwame (Chairman and IAA Rep), Ms. Philomina Sueley Max Bobie (IAA Rep), Mr. Robert Annan (ICAG Rep), Dr. Dominic Eduah and Hon. Musah Abdul-Aziz Ayaba are members if the NSS Board. Ms. Jemima Anokye Boateng is the Secretary to the committee.
