The Deputy Director-General in charge of the Technical and Field Operations, Mr. William Offei-Mensah inaugurated the Audit Committee of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) on behalf of Dr. E.O. Osae, Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency on 15th September, 2022. The event was chaired by the Commissioner-General of GRA, Rev. Ammishaddai Owusu-Amoah who in his opening remarks, stated that the purpose of the meeting was to inaugurate a new Audit Committee to take over the reins from the old one whose four-year tenure has come to an end. He thanked the past Committee for a good job done and said he has personally learnt a lot from members.
Members of the Committee are Mr. Joseph Winful (IAA Rep and Chairman of the Committee), Dr. E.O. Osae (IAA Rep), Dr. Abdulai Alhassan (ICAG Rep), Madam Adelaide Ahwireng and Rev. Prof. Peter Ohene-Kyei (Representatives of the GRA Board). Mr. Emmanuel Ayisi is the Secretary of the Committee.
In a speech read on behalf of the Director-General by Mr. William Offei-Mensah, he stated that the Audit Committee is a high-level Committee established under the PFM Act, 2016 to balance the imbalances in the governance structure. He mentioned that its formation is also prescribed by law and stressed that members of the Committee should be issued with appointment letters. He outlined the statutory roles of the Committee as mandatory, advisory and supporting. The mandatory roles of the Committee, Mr. Offei-Mensah pointed out includes pursuing leadership to implement recommendations from Internal and External Audit Reports, Auditor-General’s Management Letter, monitoring reports and directives from PAC. He continued that the advisory roles of the Committee include the provision of advice on sound financial and risk management practices. He entreated the Committee to ensure compliance with all laws of the country and the Guidelines to Effective Functioning of Audit Committees. On the supporting roles, Mr. Offei-Mensah said the Committee is required to support the Internal Audit Unit of GRA to prepare and submit required quarterly reports and plans.
Mr. Offei-Mensah in concluding, stated that the Audit Committee is a very important institution in the governance of GRA and as such requires the greatest support of all key stakeholders in the execution of its mandate. He tasked members to take a look at the Auditor-General’s Report and assist in the resolution of the issues raised. He mentioned that he was hopeful the Committee would live up to expectation.
In his closing remarks, Rev. Owusu-Amoah said leadership was ready to tap into the rich experience of members of the Committee. He said the institution was aiming at moving Ghana to about 30% GDP.
