Public Accounts Committee of Parliament begins workshop in Koforidua
Members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, on Friday began a three-day induction workshop in Koforidua, aimed at enhancing their competences.
The workshop is on the theme: “Towards an Effective Financial Oversight, Role of Parliament”.
Mr Yaw Sefah, Deputy Auditor General, noted that the theme was appropriate given the over arching importance of Parliament’s oversight in ensuring the successful running of democratic governance.
He said: “Oversight is a means for holding the executive accountable for its actions and for ensuring that policies and programmes are implemented in accordance with the laws and budget passed by Parliament”.
Mr Sefah said the robust monitoring of the executive by Parliament was a key indicator of good governance.
He said “besides Parliament legislative function, it is through oversight that Parliament can ensure balance of power and assert its role as the defender of the people’s interests”.
Mr Sefah said in a modern government, the collection and dispersal of funds was very complex, adding “also complex are the tax laws and related legislation that provide authority for the collection and spending of public resources”.
He asked that the PAC should be given powers and staff to enable the members to carry out its duties effectively.
Mr Sefah noted that the objective of parliamentary oversight was to ensure that national resources were applied by the executive efficiency and effectiveness.
He appealed that Parliament work with unity of purpose and to do away with unnecessary partisanship.
Mr Sefah said: “Ghanaians have reposed their mandate in you to ensure that laws are passed and that oversight is stringently exercised to ensure that governmental actions are in accordance with laid down rules/laws, approved budgets, deliver value for money”.
Alhaji Ibrahim Dey Abubakari, Ranking Member of Parliament, said if the PAC was to achieve the objective of being the primary mechanism for scrutiny of government, members working on Parliamentary Committees needed to be able to distinguish between their roles as members of political parties, and their role as a committee member.
He said the PAC role was key to ensuring accountability in government and it should be equipped with tools.
Mr Kwaku Agyeman-Manu, Chairman of the Committee, said the workshop would give the members insight into activities for the next three-and -half years.
Mr Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, Program Manager, Star-Ghana, said the workshop was the sixth in a series, being organised to build the capacities of Members of Parliament.
He said corruption was inimical to progress, and “we must ensure that taxes that we pay are used for the right purposes”
Source: GNA