By Iddi Yire, GNA
Accra, July 02, GNA – President John Dramani Mahama, has, formally in line with Articles 70 (1)(b) and Article 187 (16) appointed and sworn into office Dr Pamela Graham, as the eleventh, and first female Auditor-General of Ghana.
The swearing in, which took place at the Presidency in Accra, was witnessed by Vice President Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang.
President Mahama in his remarks congratulated Dr Graham on her new appointment as the Auditor-General of Ghana and wished her every success as she assumed the important national responsibility.
He said the swearing-in of the Auditor-General was not merely a ceremonial occasion, and that it was a reaffirmation of collective commitment to the Constitution of Ghana, the rule of law and the principles of transparency, accountability and sound public financial management that underpins every successful democracy.
The President said the office of the Auditor-general occupied a unique and indispensable place within their constitutional order and was one of the principal guardians of the public purse, ensuring that public resources that were entrusted to the government were management lawfully, efficiently and in the best interest of the Ghanaian people.
The President said Auditor-General’s work extended far beyond just auditing accounts and that it strengthens confidence in public institutions.
He added that it promoted prudent financial management and detested waste and corruption and provided Parliament and the People of Ghana with the assurance that those entrusted with public resources remained accountable for every Cedi they spend.
He said in a developing economy such as Ghana’s, where every public investment must yield measurable benefits for their people, the rule of the Auditor-General becomes even more critical.
The President reiterated that effective auditing strengthened investor confidence.
He said it improved governance and reinforced public trust in government and state institutions.
President Mahama said Dr Graham’s appointment was at the time when the citizens’ expectations for transparency and accountability were at an all-time high.
The President said Ghanaians rightly expected every public institution to demonstrate value for money, prudence stewardship of national resources, and the highest standards of integrity.
“Your distinguished professional career has prepared you well for this important responsibility. And I have every confidence that you discharge your constitutional mandate with competence, impartiality, courage, and unwavering fidelity to the laws of our republic,” the President said.
“As you assume office today, you do so not in service of any government or any political party or any individual, but in the service to the Constitution and the people of Ghana.”
He said the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General was fundamental to the credibility of the nation’s governance system, and that independence must always be protected, and equally it must always be exercised responsibly, professionally, and fairly.
The President said an Auditor-General must be guided solely by facts, evidence, and the law and that their reports must command public confidence because they are objective, balanced, and beyond reproach.
President Mahama also took the opportunity on behalf of the Government and People of Ghana to express their sincere appreciation to the outgoing Auditor-General Mr Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, whose tenure would end on July 2, 2026.
“We thank him for his dedicated service to our country and for his contribution to strengthening the institutions of public accountability,” he said.
“We wish him continued good health and every success in the years ahead and in any future endeavours.”
On her part, Dr Graham expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the honour done to her.
She said: “I come into this role, with 25 years of professional experience in the private sector, where credibility is not negotiable; numbers must stand up to scrutiny, systems must work, and when they do not, there are consequences.
“That discipline cannot remain at the boundaries of the private sector. I see this as an opportunity to bring in a fresh perspective grounded in professional rigor, global standards, and a strong culture of performance and results.”
Dr Graham noted that with over two decades of managing various engagements under the Office of the Auditor-General, she was acutely aware that the public service carried its own complexities.
GNA
Edited by Benjamin Mensah/George-Ramsey Benamba