On behalf of the Ag. Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Mr. Thomas A. Thompson-Aryee, the Audit Committee of the Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) College of Education was inaugurated by Mr. Hayford Dowuona-Hammond, a Deputy Director responsible for the Office of the Director-General on 16th July, 2025 at the Council Chamber of the College at Asokore-Koforidua. The Principal of the College, Prof. Vincent Adzahlie-Mensah chaired the event. In attendance was the Vice Principal, Dr. Gifty S. Nyarko and other members of management.
Pastor Ernest Ofosu, the College Chaplin gave an exhortation in which he alluded to the Parable of the Talent in Matthew 25:21 when speaking on the responsibilities of the Committee. He mentioned that faithfulness in small things is required for the members to discharge their functions effectively. He added that accuracy, honesty and transparency which are needed to build trust are marks of spirituality.
Prof. Adzahlie-Mensah in his opening remarks, stated that the establishment of the Audit Committee is a regulatory compliance which institutes controls to ensure value for money. He stressed that the institution of the Audit Committee is to provide assurance to the Ghanaian populace that the right thing is being done in the various public Covered Entities within the confines of the law. He commended the previous Committee for the good job and support it provided to the operations of the College. The Principal mentioned that he was looking to having a very positive working relationship with the incoming Committee.
In a speech read on behalf of the Ag. Director-General of the IAA, Mr. Dowuona-Hammond, said the Audit Committee is a High-level corporate governance structure that contributes to the effectiveness of public accountability and the appropriate use of public resources. In outlining the statutory roles of the Committee, he stated that he has confidence in the abilities of the nominees and as such, he was only giving them a reminder. The mandatory roles he stated involve pursuing the Head of the Covered Entity to implement recommendations in internal and external audit reports and other obligatory reports.
According to the Ag. Director-General’s representative, the advisory roles involve advising Management on financial, risk management practices, internal controls and governance processes as well as compliance with laws, regulations and policies. He also urged the Committee to support the work of the Internal Auditor. He made mention of amendments to the Public Financial Management Act 2016 and emphasized that contravening any provision of the Act will lead to the enforcement of the sanctions spelt out.
Concluding, Mr. Dowuona-Hammond is very important in the governance of the College and as such requires support from Management and all relevant stakeholders.
Prof. Azahlie-Mensah in his closing remarks thanked the previous Committee, and particularly the Chairperson. He said he was delighted at the level of commitment the Commitment showed during its tenure of office. He pledged Management’s support to the work of the Committee. In his words, “when hard comes to crack, the College will do whatever it can to ensure the Audit Committee meets”. According to him, since great decisions are made not during meetings but outside, he requested input and guidance from the Agency and members of the Committee for the smooth running of the College.
Members of the Committee are Mr. Samuel Gyekye-Mensah (IAA Rep and Chairperson), Mr. Anthony A. Hadjor (IAA Rep) and Madam Charity Afrifa (ICAG Rep). Madam Elsie Bartels Amissah-Arthur is Secretary to the Committee.
