The Internal Audit Agency (IAA) launched the Internal Audit Awareness Week celebration on 27th March 2023 at the Ministry of Information Conference Hall. The weeklong event is to sensitize, recognize and celebrate hard working Internal Auditors working in the country’s public sector and also commence the celebration of 20 years of the enactment of the Internal Audit Agency Act.
Mr. Joseph Winful, Chairman of the Internal Audit Board and a renowned business consultant in his speech, threw light on the passage of the Internal Audit Agency Act 2003, (Act 658) and its function to coordinate, facilitate, regulate and set standards for Internal Audit Practice in the Public Sector of Ghana. Mr. Winful credited His Excellency, John Agyekum Kuffuor’s Government for having the foresight. He also credited past Boards and Directors-General of the Agency for pushing the work of the Agency despite challenges faced through 20 years of rebuilding internal audit practices and preventing irregularities in Ghana.
Mr. Winful outlined the contribution of IAA, Internal Auditors, Audit Committees with support from the Government and Development Partners to the country’s public administration and towards strengthening accountable transparent structures in the use of public funds.
Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, the Director-General of IAA, addressed the audience on the successes and challenges of the Agency. He mentioned that there was a team on field, building the capacity of 4,865 Audit Committee members. He added that the Agency in collaboration with the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) is monitoring and cleaning up the public sector payroll. He intimated that, the IAA through Internal Auditors has saved over GHS 4.5 million from payroll fraud. Dr. Osae shared on various payroll irregularities identified in the system and promised to work with other state institutions to flash them out.
Another irregularity mentioned by the Director-General was the sum of over GHS 3.3 million identified to have been spent outside the GIFMIS system for which steps are being taken in collaboration with the CAGD to rectify. Speaking on challenges the Agency has faced over the years, he highlighted the need for salaries and conditions of service of all Internal Auditors to be rationalized and the need to fast track the amendment of the current IAA Act 2003 (Act 658) which is currently obsolete and has been taken over by the Public Financial Management Act.
In concluding, Dr. Osae encouraged all Internal Auditors to be vigilant, protect and regulate the use of government funds. He acknowledged the vigilance of the Internal Auditor at the Lands Commission whose vigilance led to the uncovering of a GhS100 million fraud. The Director-General assured that the Internal Audit Agency will work hard to ensure that payroll fraud in the public sector is eliminated. He also acknowledged the support received from Development partners such as GIZ, EU and the World Bank who have provided funding for capacity building of Internal Auditors, Audit Committees, and staff of the Agency.
Dr. Osae encouraged the government and stakeholders to continue supporting the work of the Agency as it plays a vital role in preventing corruption and misuse of public funds. In attendance were members of the IAA Board, Mr. Ransford Adjei, a former Director-General, Internal Auditors, Management and staff of the Agency and the media.
