The Acting Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Mr. Conrad Z. Dumbah, inaugurated the Audit Committee of the Ministry of Food and Aquaculture (MoFAD) on 8th October 2026. The ceremony was graced by the Honourable Minister for Food and Aquaculture, Emelia Arthur, together with other members of the Ministry’s Management.
In her opening remarks, the Honourable Minister stated that the inauguration of the Audit Committee was a mandatory requirement pursuant to Section 86 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921). She noted that the inauguration and swearing-in of the Committee attested to the Ministry’s commitment to promoting sound governance, accountability, transparency, and prudent financial management.
The Minister further highlighted the Committee’s mandatory and advisory functions, including the responsibility of pursuing the Principal Spending Officer to ensure the implementation of audit recommendations contained in statutory reports. She also emphasised the Committee’s advisory role in providing guidance on sound financial management and strengthening internal control systems, among other responsibilities. She urged the Committee to provide objective, candid, and critical advice to guide the effective operations and decision-making of the Ministry.
In his remarks, Mr. Dumbah stated that the swearing-in ceremony was a demonstration of the Ministry’s commitment to setting the right “tone at the top,” thereby creating an enabling environment for effective control systems to be established and maintained.
He further noted that the Audit Committee plays a critical role in ensuring that decisions taken by the Ministry are sound, appropriate, and geared towards achieving the desired outcomes. He emphasised that compliance, effectiveness, and efficiency constitute the fundamental pillars of good governance.
In conclusion, the Acting Director-General advised that the relationship between the Audit Committee and Management should extend beyond mere cordiality and be characterised by seamless collaboration, mutual respect, and constructive engagement to promote effective governance and accountability within the Ministry.