Whistle Blowers Bill would add impetus to accountability

Accra, Nov. 29, GNA -- Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, on Wednesday said the passage of the Whistle Blowers Bill and the establishment of a Financial Administration Tribunal to deal with financial indiscipline would add more impetus to accountability and improve the work of auditors.

Additionally, the establishment of the Office of Accountability was to ensure that public office holders became more accountable for their actions and inactions, he said.

He was opening the first Internal Audit Forum on the theme: =93Improving Public Financial Management, Internal Auditing as an Accounting and Management Control Tool.=94

Mr Baah-Wiredu who represented the Vice President Alhaji Aliu Mahama, said what was required to make the office of accountability work to the general satisfaction of all was the maximum cooperation from the public, advice and suggestion to enhance its operations.

=93The commitment of the government to improvement in the public financial management is demonstrated by a number of programmes such as the expenditure control system and reform initiatives which are geared towards enhancing controls, strengthening transparency and accountability in the area of public financial management,=94 he said.

The Finance Minister said government would further intensify and sustain its fight by strengthening institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice, Audit Service, Internal Audit Agency and the Serious Fraud Office in terms of budgetary allocation, human capacity development and logistics.

"One cannot talk about sound financial management without mentioning internal auditing which fundamentally aims at achieving greater efficiency in governmental operations, reduce and prevent opportunities for fraud and corruption and check leakages and waste in public resources," he said.

Mr Baah-Wiredu noted that waste and misuse of public resources were potential threats to providing opportunities and benefits to the citizenry.

He expressed worry about the recent statement by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) which rated Ghana 3.3 in corruption perception index, saying it did not portray a good image for the country.

Mr Baah-Wiredu urged Auditors to facilitate information in institutions like Controller and Accountant General's Department, Internal Revenue Service and the Customs, Excise and Preventive Service for improvement in their operations.

"Initiate policies and be at the forefront to advice management of public institutions in areas of internal controls, risk management practices and good corporate governance."

Mr Baah-Wiredu said the auditor and head of institution were in principle at the forefront of the various organizations with common goals of seeking the realization of the objectives and adding value in areas of improving financial management and fighting corrupt practices. =93Transparency in public sector decision making and policy implementation reduces uncertainty. It can also help inhibit corruption among public officials,=94 he said.

Mr Samuel Crabbe, Chairman of Internal Audit Agency Board, who also chaired the function, said the objective of the forum was to provide a platform for public sector internal auditors and chief executives of public institutions to interact and share experiences, information and ideas.

He said two basic issues - safeguarding of public sector assets and cash management - would feature prominently at the forum, noting that a lot of concerns had been expressed on how government properties had been documented and safeguarded.

'We need to design an appropriate audit strategy to audit and report on government property in public institutions,' Mr Crabbe said.

He expressed hope that the forum would assist in accelerated development of the public sector internal auditing and promote good governance in the area of public financial management.

Mr Edward Dua Agyemang, Auditor-General, said his Office was collaborating with the Accountant-General's Office to ensure efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector.