The Internal Audit Agency on Friday, 24th November, 2023 distributed laptop computers to deserving Internal Audit Units (IAUs) to improve Internal Audit activities in their Institutions. The laptops were donated by the European Union (EU) and the GIZ as part of its effort to enhance and improve advisory and assurance services in the country and facilitate the work of Internal Auditors in 2024.
In his address, Dr. E.O Osae, Director-General of the IAA welcomed all to the Agency. He expressed his joy at having them join in the retooling and resourcing of Internal Audit Units across the public sector.
Dr. Osae noted the important function of Internal Audit in Public Financial Management. He stated that, over the past year the Agency has led the charge towards repositioning and restructuring Internal Audit practice in Ghana. Noting the yields of these interventions, the Director-General shared on the reduction in irregularities in the Auditor-General’s 2021-2022 report on Pre-University Educational Institution, Technical University, Common Fund and Public Bodies, Corporations and other Statutory Institutions.
- Pre-University Educational Institutions; 58.60% reduction amounting to GHs 10,821,146.02
- Technical Universities; 39.90% reduction amounting to GHs 13, 917,159.00
- Management and utilization of DACF and other Statutory Funds; 18.90% reduction amounting to GHs 12, 493,650.25
- Public Bodies, Corporations and other Statutory Institutions; 13.86% reduction amounting to Ghs 2,424,041,732.00.
Laptops were given to One Hundred and Seventy-Nine (179) Metropolitan, Municipals and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Sixteen (16) Regional Coordinating Councils and Eighteen (18) critical Institutions across the public sector in need of laptops were also identified and supported to facilitate their work. Some beneficiaries are EOCO, Birth and Death Registry, Ghana News Agency, New Times Corporation, Mental Health Authority to mention a few.
Dr Osae shared on the clear-cut marching orders for Internal Auditors in the 2024 budget recently presented to Parliament. He noted that to achieve the fiscal discipline needed in the country; leadership would have to listen to Internal Auditors.
The Director-General pointed out some of the roles in the 2024 Budget for the attention and implementation of Internal Auditors.
- Corruption Risk Assessment of the Covered Entity.
- Reporting and Auditing of Activities under the National Anticorruption Action Plan (NACAP).
- Handing Over Notes: Auditing and Reporting in compliance with Section 6 of the Presidential (Transition) Act, 2012 (Act 845).
- Auditing of Asset Declaration under the Public Office Holders (Declaration of Asset and Disqualification) Act, 1998 (Act 550).
- Auditing of Arrears and Liabilities.
- Auditing of Assets and properties to ensure protection and appropriate ownership, i.e. Titling and Documentation.
- Auditing of Contract Execution status, payment and outstandings.
- Auditing of Government Procurement to ensure mandatory use of the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS) for all Government procurements.
Dr. Osae expressed his utmost gratitude for the unwavering dedication and pivotal role the Internal Auditors play in ensuring the transparent and effective functioning of institutions. He tasked them to embrace the laptops not just as tools but as partners in their journey toward excellence. He encouraged participants to take advantage of the 2024 Training Calendar published by the Agency and plan for it in their 2024 Risk-Based Work Plan and advised them to ensure the Work Plan gets to the Agency on or before 31st January, 2024.
He thanked them for honoring the invitation and looked forward to witnessing the positive impact of their work. He also thanked the EU and the GIZ for their support and prayed the support continues to resource Internal Auditors.
