The Ministry of Finance on Monday, 8th August launched the Emergency Expenditure Management Guidelines and Audit Recommendations Implementation and Follow-up Instructions for Public Institutions at the Press Center of the Ministry of Information.
The two documents were developed pursuant to Section 5(1)(D) of the PFM Act. The Audit Recommendations and Follow-up Instructions for Public Institutions will provide procedural clarity in the follow-up on the implementation of Audit Recommendations issued by either Internal Auditors or the Auditor-General. It covers broad areas including legal, administrative, policy frameworks implementation and Follow-up on audit recommendations.
The Emergency Expenditure Management Guidelines are to provide fast-tracking and coordinated arrangements to enable public institutions to respond swiftly to mitigate the impact of public emergencies and deliver essential public services. The guidelines highlight the importance of striking a delicate balance between the need for expedited decision-making in deploying funds during emergencies and the requirements to comply with the existing PFM laws, uphold fiscal discipline and ensure transparency and accountability.
The launch was preceded by remarks from the Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance, Madam Eva Mends, the Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency Dr. Eric Oduro Osae and a presentation by the Director of the Internal Audit Directorate, Mr. Hayford.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr John Kumah read a speech for and on behalf of the Hon. Minister of Finance and proceeded to duly launch the documents. Present at the launch were the Controller and Accountant-General, Chief Directors from various Ministries, the President and Vice president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants Ghana (ICAG), Officials from the Ministry of Finance, the Internal Audit Agency, the Ghana Audit Service, private Audit and Accounting firms and the media.
