By Yussif Ibrahim
Kumasi, Feb. 24, GNA – As part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of Local Accountability Networks (LANets) in monitoring the implementation of audit recommendations, the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has trained members of LANets in five districts in the Ashanti Region.
The training was conducted for members in Atwima Nwabiagya South, Ejisu Municipal, Mampong Municipal, Asante-Akim Central and Kumasi Metro under the “Building Evidence for Increased Accountability in Ghana” project, with funding from the Hewlett Foundation.
They were equipped with skills to collate and analyse infractions from the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report, specifically focusing on audit reports related to District Assemblies.
These include the report of the Auditor-General on the management and utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund and other Statutory Funds, as well as those on the accounts of assemblies for the financial year.
Mr Samuel Harrison Cudjoe, the Programmes Officer, GACC, who led the training took participants through the auditing and reporting processes of the Auditor General.
Participants were also taken through how to access the Auditor General’s report on the website of the Ghana Audit Service, focusing on findings on their respective local assemblies.
Practical sessions on the collation of findings related to their assemblies were performed as part of the training.
Mr Cudjoe emphasised the importance of the project, which sought to increase the implementation of audit recommendations and institutions’ responsiveness.
He said it would increase citizen awareness on anti-corruption issues and enhance institutional performance and impact.
The expectation is that misappropriated funds in selected public institutions would be recovered and saved for efficient government spending, Mr. Cudjoe noted.
Mr Cudjoe advised members of the LANets avoid being confrontational in their quest for information from duty bearers, but to collaborative with them to achieve the desired results.
GNA