Audit Service not fault finding institution

Audit Service not fault finding institution -Auditor-General tells gov’t agencies
By Masahudu Ankiilu Kunateh, Ghanadot

Accra, July 19, Ghanadot - The Auditor-General, Mr. Richard Quartey has asked government agencies not to perceive the work of the Audit Service as fault finding institution but rather see “each other as partners in ensuring that good financial and accounting principles are observed where government resources are used cost effectively”.

To this end, he reiterated the willingness and preparedness of the Audit Service to support and collaborate with all agencies of government to ensure transparency and judicious use of public resources in the country.

Mr. Quartey observed that for the mandate of the Audit Service to be met, auditees must ensure that they submit their financial statements on time for audit.

The Auditor-General expressed these sentiments when the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr. Paul Tawiah Quaye, paid a courtesy call on him in his office in Accra.

Mr. Quartey thanked the Ghana Police Service for the immense support that the Audit Service continues enjoying from them and promised to extend the same co-operation and support to other security agencies in the country.

The Inspector General of Police, Mr. Paul Quaye, on his part commended the Audit Service on the recent performance audit report issued relating to Police accommodation and stated “that the report brought to the fore the real problems confronting the Police Service regarding accommodation”.

He intimated that the Service has begun implementing the recommendations made in the report hence the hold on recruitments so that future new recruits would not face accommodation problems.

Instructively, the Audit Service disclosed that out of the Police staff strength of 22,610, only 42% are properly accommodated while the remaining 58% are housed in makeshift facilities.

Among the recommendations made by the Audit Service are namely, improvement upon the quality and quantum of residences, approaching Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to assist in providing accommodation in their respective areas and encouragement of Regional Commanders to take the initiative to build houses for themselves as in the case of Tema.

Mr. Paul Quaye expressed the hope that the Audit Service would extend the same co-operation it gave to the previous administration during his tenure of office to the new one.

Ghanadot