Mr. T.A. Thompson-Aryee, the newly appointed Ag. Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) on 14th May 2025 inaugurated the Audit Committee (AC) of the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment (MYDE). Lawyer George Opare Addo, Minister for the Ministry chaired the event.
In his opening remarks, the Minister said the inauguration marked a milestone in the Ministry’s journey towards strengthening governance and enhancing transparency in all areas of its operations. He mentioned that the Executive Instrument (E.I.) which created the Ministry on 9th January 2025, aims at creating a youth ecosystem that would make the youth contribute meaningfully, locally and be globally competitive. Lawyer Opare Addo expounded that it was against this backdrop that the establishment of the Committee is seen not only as a statutory requirement, but also a strategic mechanism for strengthening the governance and administrative structures to support the Ministry deliver on its mandate and promote the prudent use of public resources within it.
In concluding, the Minister mentioned that the work of the members of the Committee will directly contribute to building confidence in public sector governance and service delivery especially as it pertains to the youth, the very foundation of Ghana’s future and enjoined members to perform their duties with professionalism, impartiality and diligence. He pledged Management’s support to the work of the Committee.
Delivering his address, the Ag. Director-General of IAA stated that systems for managing public funds are essential for an open and accountable government without which a country runs the risk of underdevelopment. It was to manage risks and lessen their negative effects on the nation’s development that the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act 2016 (Act 921) was enacted which also gave rise to the establishment of Audit Committees. He continued that the AC of the Ministry was being inaugurated to fulfil its responsibilities imposed under Section 86(1) of the PFM Act 2016 (Act 921), the Public Financial Management Regulations (PFMR), 2019 (L.I. 2378, the Guidelines for Effective Functioning of Audit Committees and other applicable financial laws.
Mr. Thompson-Aryee outlined the roles of the Committee as mandatory, advisory and supporting. According to him, the mandatory roles include ensuring the Head of a Covered Entity (Principal Spending Officer) implements audit recommendations in Internal Audit Reports. The Committee is also required to prepare and submit its annual report.
On the advisory roles, the Ag. Director-General mentioned that the Committee is required to provide advice to Management on financial management, risk management practice, internal control and governance processes and compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. He further stated that the Committee supports the Internal Audit Function by providing specific assistance to the Internal Auditor that will guide the conduct of effective Internal Audit activity as provided under Section 83(9) (10) of the PFM Act (Act 921) and Regulations 220 and 222 of the PFMR 2019 (L.I. 2378.) In conclusion, Mr. Thompson-Aryee intimated that he might partake in the deliberations of the Committee at its sittings at least once a year.
