Auditor-General calls for high standards of accountability in public business

Public institutions have been asked to make sure that they maintain high standards of accountability and responsibility in the conduct of every public business activity.

Mr Richard Quartey, the Auditor-General, said it was necessary for public officials to do the right things to safeguard the financial resources of the country.

He noted that ensuring transparency in the public financial management system would help to strengthen good governance – allowing the citizens to hold public officials accountable.

He was speaking at the second annual accountability lectures organised by the Audit Service in Kumasi. “Accountability and emerging principles of democratic governance,” was the theme.

It provided the opportunity for stakeholder institutions to share information on their complementary roles to facilitate good governance, the rule of law and effective use of state resources to achieve national growth.

It also sought to create the necessary awareness about the role and responsibility of the Audit Service and challenges faced by the Auditor-General in delivering on their constitutional mandate.

Mr Quartey reminded management in both, the private and public sectors, of their responsibility to establish strong internal controls to provide reasonable assurance regarding the effectiveness and efficiency of operations as well as reliability of financial reporting.

The Audit Service has embarked on series of workshops to build the capacity of staff in modern audit techniques and methodologies to enhance their performance.

Dr Kwaku Agyemang- Mensah, Ashanti Regional Minister, said audit processes are useful, enabling the law enforcement agencies to effectively play their complementary roles of ensuring that those who violate financial laws are appropriately sanctioned.

Source: GNA