The Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr E. O. Osae inaugurated the Audit Committee of Ghana Science Association on Thursday, June 20th, 2024, at the Conference Room of the organization.
In his opening address, Mr. Forson Dzotor, the Scientific Coordinator warmly welcomed the members and highlighted the key mandates of the Ghana Science Association and the purpose of the meeting. He explained the associations reporting lines through GTEC and shared on their publications and free donations they make to schools.
Addressing the forum, the Director General highlighted the three key roles of the Audit Committee as provided in the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) as Mandatory, Advisory and Supporting.
He clarified that the mandatory role required the Audit Committee assist the institution in establishing robust internal controls to ensure effectiveness and efficiency. They are to ensure the implementation of recommendations in Internal Audit reports and submission of timely quarterly reports.
Additionally, he noted that the committee is obliged to submit an annual report to the Office of the President and Parliament, the Auditor-General and to his Office. This report Dr. Osae said should have the endorsements of the Sector Minister.
On the advisory role, he highlighted the preventive role of Internal Auditing and the need for the Audit Committee to assist the institution in implementing Enterprise Risk Management in its internal audit processes to mitigate risks. He advised Management on the need to organize an orientation for the members of the Committee on the activities of the association to enable them deliver effectively on their mandate and support members with the needed logistics to for their work.
The Director -General concluded by extending his sincere appreciation to the Audit Committee members for their willingness to serve.
The meeting ended with remarks from the Head of Ghana Science Association thanking the Director-General for his support and the constitution of the Audit Committee of GSA. He added that Management will support Audit Committee Members to effectively do their work.
The members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Lionel Nii Lante Mills (Chairman and IAA Rep), Dr. Grace Afua Bediako (IAA Rep), Mr. Emmanuel Ofosu Offei (ICAG Rep) Prof. Micheal Osae (Member), Dr. Esther Marfo Ahenkora (Member) and Mrs. Balah Hajlo Ramatu (Secretary).
