Mr. Samuel Gyekye-Mensah on behalf of the Director-General of the Agency, Dr E.O. Osae inaugurated the Audit Committee of the Data Protection Commission on 2nd July, 2024 at the Ellking Hotel.
The Executive Director of the Data Protection Commission, Mrs. Patricia Adusei-Poku in her opening address welcomed all to the inauguration. She prayed that it will be a successful Committee. Mrs. Adusei-Poku explained that due to the loss of the Commission’s Internal Auditor, the precious Committee could not hold meetings as there were no reports to sit on.
Mr. Gyekye-Mensah after swearing-in the members of the Committee, read the address of the Director-General. He extended the apologies of the Director-General and shared on the roles of the Committee as Mandatory, Advisory and Supporting.
Clarifying the Mandatory role, the Committee was informed of the duty in ensuring that audit recommendations from Internal Audit reports, External Audit reports, recommendations from the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament and Monitoring reports of the Commission if any are implemented.
The Committee, Mr. Gyekye-Mensah said is also mandated to submit an Annual report on their work at Commission to the Office of the President, Parliament, Auditor and the Agency indicating the recommendations reviewed and implemented.
Speaking on the advisory role, he tasked members to bring their expertise to bare and ensure Internal controls and governance processes are adhered to. Mr. Gyekye-Mensah also encouraged members of the Committee to ensure compliance with laws, regulations and policies to achieve effective management of public funds.
Concluding his address, Mr. Gyekye-Mensah tasked the Audit Committee to support the Internal Audit Unit and ensure that the Unit gets Management support in the delivery of its mandate. He urged Management to give the Committee the needed support and wished them well.
The Executive Director in her closing statement shared a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Agency to ensure compliance with standards set on Data Protection. She thanked the Committee for agreeing to serve the Commission and assured the Committee of the Commission’s support.
Members of the Audit Committee are Mr. Charles Adiyian-Kusi (Chairman and IAA Rep), Mrs. Joana Osei (IAA Rep) Mr. Christian Adu Boamah Abemo. Mr. Quintin Akrobotu is a representative of the Data Protection Commission. Ms.  Natasha Hammond Quarcoo is the secretary to the Committee.
