The Acting Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Mr. T.A. Thompson-Aryee on 10th June, 2025, inaugurated the Audit Committee of the Public Sector Reforms Secretariat (PSRS). Hon Lydia Lamisi Akanvariba, Minister of State in charge of the PSRS was the chairperson for the event. In attendance was the Director of General Administration, Mrs. Thelma O. Asiamah.
In her opening statement, Hon Akanvariba mentioned that she was priviledged to be in the midst of such professionals as the nominated members of the Audit Committee. She stated Ghanaians could not continue to play the ostrich and intimated that she was optimistic the Committee was going to play its role in setting the Secretariat on the path to good corporate governance. The Minister continued that the inauguration marked a milestone in ensuring transparency and accountability.
Hon Lamisi Akanvariba expounded that the Audit Committee plays a vital role in enhancing internal controls. She emphasized that the Committee is instrumental in managing public resources, hence, the provision of its establishment under the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act 2016, (Act 921). She further said that the PFM Act mandates the Audit Committee to ensure the implementation of recommendations in internal and external audit reports.
She thanked the past Committee for working assiduously leading to the improvement of Internal controls at the Secretariat. She concluded by urging the new Committee to approach its work with dedication which she said will contribute to further strengthening of internal Controls of PSRS.
Delivering his speech, the Acting Director-General of the Agency enumerated the statutory mandatory, advisory and supporting roles of the Committee as spelt out by the PFM Act 2016, (Act 921). He mentioned that the mandatory role includes pursuing Management to implement audit recommendations. Mr. Thompson-Aryee urged members of the Committee to ensure that at least 50% of audit recommendations are implemented. This, he hinted, is a requirement of the World Bank under the Public Financial Management for Service Delivery (PFM4SD) Program which is assisting the Agency to strengthen public sector internal auditing.
Mr. Thompson-Aryee concluded that the Agency has lined up several activities for Audit Committee members aimed at building their capacities. He revealed that the Ministry of Finance has issued guidelines for the implementation of PFM Commitment Control and Expenditure Management Measures for Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) and implored members of the Committee to familiarize themselves with the guidelines.  He also informed the Committee that the Public Procurement Agency (PPA) Act has by the Minister for Finance has been amended to include commitment approval for procurements              that will attract approval by the PPA Board or the Central Tender Review Committee.
Members of the Committee are Madam Christiana Maame Esi Kesson (ICAG Rep and Chairperson of the Committee), Mr. Solomon Wemegah (IAA Rep), Ms. Joyce K. Reynolds (IAA Rep) and Mr. Joseph Abbey (Rep from PSRS). Madam Veronica Osei is the Secretary of the Committee.
