The Internal Audit Agency (IAA) held a two-day Board and Management Retreat on 23 and 24 July 2026 at Tomreik Hotel, East Legon, to familiarise the Board with the Agency’s mandate and operations, review its strategic direction and discuss priorities for strengthening public sector internal auditing. The retreat brought together Board members, Management and the independent members of the IAA Audit Committee. In his opening remarks, the Ag. Director-General, Mr. Conrad Z. Dumbah, welcomed participants and stressed the importance of the retreat in advancing the Agency’s mandate.
Delivering a presentation on the Agency’s Strategic Plan, Mr. Anthony Baidoo of the Planning, Budgeting, Monitoring and Evaluation (PBME) Unit outlined the framework of the plan and highlighted its alignment with national and global development priorities. He reviewed the Agency’s operating environment through a SWOT and stakeholder analysis, identifying key issues including staff capacity, funding, digital transformation, implementation of audit recommendations and the ongoing review of the Agency’s enabling Act. He noted that recent staff feedback would inform updates to the Strategic Plan.
Mr. Baidoo also presented the status of the 2026 Annual Plan Implementation, outlining priorities for the second half of the year, including the restructuring of the Agency, the proposed repeal and replacement of the Internal Audit Agency Act and ongoing capacity-building programmes.
The retreat also featured other divisional presentations on key operational areas of the Agency. Dr. Cynthia Ayorkor Sallah, Deputy Director-General (TFO), highlighted challenges relating to human capital, institutional sustainability and funding, emphasising the need to accelerate the implementation of the Audit Management Information System (AMIS), promote Internally Generated Funds (IGF) sustainability and prioritise recruitment and capacity building.
Mr. Alhassan Fuseini updated participants on the European Union-supported project, while Mr. Usman Abdul Razak presented on the Special Assignments Unit, covering its oversight framework, assurance and investigative activities, achievements, challenges and the way forward.
In his remarks, the immediate past Director-General, Mr. Thomas A. Thompson-Ayree, urged the Board to focus on the Agency’s strategic objectives and strategies to drive the Agency’s vision. Board Member, Mr. Isaac Nyame advocated the adoption of technology-driven audit systems to replace manual processes and improve the monitoring of audit report submissions, while also calling for greater attention to sustainability.
Board Member, Dr. Stella Agyenim-Boateng, emphasised the need to reposition and rebrand the Agency to strengthen stakeholder confidence and reinforce its advisory role, while Mr. Daniel Ofosu encouraged greater investment in technology to leave a lasting institutional legacy. The Board Chairman, Prof. Joshua Y. Abor, also emphasised the importance of incorporating sustainability into the Agency’s strategic priorities.
In his closing remarks, the Director-General, Mr. Conrad Z. Dumbah, expressed appreciation to the presenters for their valuable contributions and commended the immediate past Director-General, Mr. Thompson-Ayree, for his leadership, noting that the Agency’s progress was reflected in the presentations.
The two-day retreat provided a platform for the Board and Management to review strategic priorities, assess progress on key initiatives, address emerging challenges and agree on actions to strengthen the Agency’s mandate and enhance public sector internal auditing.
