By Samuel Akumatey
Ho, Aug. 31, GNA – A State-of-the-art regional office complex has been commissioned in Ho for the Audit Service in the Volta Region.
The Service in the Region has been operating from a building of the regional health directorate in Ho, and therefore the new edifice, a single story with a multiplicity of offices, conference and other facilities, is being considered a significant transformation in the administration of the Service in the Region.
The project has roots in 2016, when the Government secured a loan facility of EUR 13 million from the German Development Bank Group to construct a total of 25 regional and district offices for the Service.
The German Government in 2020 further supported the project with 11.5 million Euros to cover increasing costs and ensure the six newly created regions benefited.
The new Volta office is the third to be commissioned this year, and President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo in a speech read on his behalf by Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, shared the commitment of the Government to the health of the Audit Service, enabling the enhancement of its physical outlook.
The President therefore commended the Service for taking up the challenge to improve upon physical work spaces across the country.
“In order to ensure consistent and efficient mandate delivery by the Auditor-General, my Government has over the years, ensured that the office of the Auditor-General received its fair share of the budgetary allocation.
This has enabled the Service to commit funds from the Government of Ghana’s budget to complete projects that were started by the Audit Service in 2012 and abandoned at various stages of completion across the country.
“Notable among these projects are the 4-storey regional office complex in Kumasi, the three-storey regional office in Tamale as well as district offices in Agona, Winneba, Tumu and Kete Krachi. These district offices are not only complete but are currently being used by staff of the Service.
“The Service has also re-roofed and renovated their hitherto uninhabitable buildings in Obuasi, Agona Swedru, Denu and Akropong. My Government has taken note of all these remarkable achievements of the service and congratulates the Auditor-General and the Board of the Audit Service for their efficient and effective leadership,” President Akufo-Addo stated.
Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, the Auditor- General, expressed gratitude to the President for realising the transformation of the Service, and said his commitment remained unmatched.
The Auditor-General said the completion of a total 19 offices so far marked the successful migration of the Service into a modernised environment, and which would result in an extended enhancement of delivery.
“Your Excellency, on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff of the Audit Service, we appreciate your leadership and foresight, which has made this achievement a reality. Your investment in our infrastructure will have a lasting impact on the future success of the Audit Service.
“We own only about 30 per cent of our offices across the country. Most of our offices are owned by the Assemblies; a few are private properties we rent; at Twifo Praso for instance we are accommodated by the post office. Therefore these offices could not have come at a better time. To our Excellency, what we are witnessing is a dream come true.”
The Volta Regional cut the ribbon to officially open the office complex for use, and led dignitaries present, including heads of the Service and traditional leaders to inspect is facilities including a secure server room.
Moses Ahiatsi, the Volta Regional Auditor, told the Ghana News Agency the new office provided the needed convenience and independence to the Service and its operations in the Region.
“Where we are, the rooms are very congested. So you go out to generate reports and where to sit to put together your report is a problem. So where we are moving into now is a very big office space where we have enough furniture and everything that makes life comfortable for an employee. It is going to be a plus for us,” he said.
GNA