US agency underlines transparency and accountability

Accra (Greater Accra), 11 May ?99 ?

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) on Monday underlined transparency and accountability in financial management systems as key issues emerging from democratic reforms in the developing world.

Additionally, strong supreme audit institutions are essential to the democratic process because of the important role they play in ensuring public accountability.

Dr. Frank Young, Mission Director of USAID in Ghana, said this at the inauguration of the Government of Ghana Audit Service Wide Area Network (WAN) Computer Systems in Accra.

The Audit network, funded by USAID at a cost of 215,000 dollars, enables the Service to communicate with its 10 regional field offices.

Mr Young said such a network is necessary, as the Service is responsible for auditing and reporting on the performance of the government.

"When they do their job, audit institutions foster the principle of transparency and public accountability."

Equipment for the installation of WAN includes two computer servers, 14 microcomputers for use in the Service's Accra headquarters and its regional offices. Each computer is equipped with a modem and an uninterruptible power supply capacity.

Dr. Young said implementation of WAN began on February 14, 1998 when USAID and the Government of Ghana Audit Service (GOGAS) entered into an agreement to create an enabling environment to facilitate GOGAS institutional building to support audit requirements for activities of USAID in the education sector.

Enumerating some advantages of the system, he said the service can now simultaneously transmit audit reports between the 10 regions and headquarters and have electronic-mail facilities throughout the country.

It has access to Audit-Net that is a worldwide support system and auditors have the ability to electronically communicate with one another.

Mrs. Rebbeca Adotey, a Deputy Minister of Communications, in a speech read for her, said the new system would offer the Audit Service an opportunity to improve on their operations in providing adequate, efficient and accurate data for the country.

She congratulated USAID for the support and expressed the hope that the facility would bring to the Service new state-of-the-art auditing procedures that would enhance auditing practices in Ghana.

Mr Osei Tutu Prempeh, Auditor-General, said the service will strive to justify the provision of the facilities and the confidence of USAID. "I wish to assure USAID that GOGAS is determined to achieve all goals set," he said.