WR Minister charges sub-audit committee in Ghana Health Service to promote accountability – Skyy Power FM

The Western Regional Minister Dr Kwabena Okyere Darko Mensah has charged the recently inaugurated sub-audit committee in the Ghana Health Service (GHS) to be proactive in their role and promote accountability in the Heath Service.

He said, “Audit committees play an important role in fighting corruption by promoting transparency and accountability and good governance in the organisation. They provide independent oversight of organisations’ financial reports, internal controls and compliance with legal regulatory requirements by conducting regular processes.”

The Regional Minister said the audit committee can help identify potential weaknesses that may indicate fraudulent and corrupt practices.

He said the key way in which the audit committee can help in the fight against corruption is through risk assessment.

The Western Regional Director of the Ghana Health Service, Dr Yaw Ofori Yeaboah says the timing of the inauguration of the Sub-Audit Committee in the health service is relevant amid the increasing spate of financial irregularities reported in Auditor General Reports following the management and utilization of public funds by covered entities.

Speaking at a 2nd Inaugural Ceremony of the Ghana Health Service Sub Audit Committees on May 9, in Takoradi. Dr Yaw Ofori Yeboah said the Western Region has taken cognizance of relevant audit directives emanating from the Internal Audit Agency (IAA).

He added that there has been steady improvement in the audit indicators as revealed in their recent Holistic Performance Assessment Exercise.

He said, “There has been a steady improvement in the audit indicators as revealed in our recent Holistic Performance Assessment Exercise. For example, internal audit coverage has increased from 36.43% recorded in 2021 to 50% in 2022 with a national target of 75%.

“Total Audit Performance recorded in 2022 being 51% with a national target of 80% hence, the need to ensure the effectiveness of sub-audit committees for the realization of better audit outcomes in the region and Service as a whole.”

“Lastly, to make the sub-audit committees effective amid the re-configuration of audit zones, we are in the process of developing internal guidelines that will set modalities for the funding of the committees for equity and inclusiveness purposes”.

“It is our expectation that the yet-to-be inaugurated sub-audit committees will discharge their roles professionally as spelt out under Section 88 of Act 921 and Audit Committee Guidelines (2017).” He added.