By Patrick Ofoe Nudzi
Accra, Nov. 21, GNA – The Ghana Audit Service has commissioned an office complex for the Shai-Osudoku District in the Greater Accra Region as part of efforts to strengthen its services, independence and attain more positive outcomes.
The fully furnished audit office has solar panels, power plant generators, water tanks, and a 50-sitting capacity conference room, estimated to have cost €350,000.
The facility is situated in Dodowa, the district capital, forming part of 19 newly constructed offices across the country in the spate of two years by the Ghana Audit Service.
These include the Volta Regional office in Ho, Central Regional office in Cape Coast, and the Offinso, Effiduase, Tepa, Navrongo, Kintampo and Bole district offices.
The projects were funded by KfW Development Bank at the cost of €13 million on behalf of the German Government.
Mr Johnson Akuamoah Ashiedu, the Auditor-General, said during the commissioning that the edifice would not only guarantee the independence of the Audit Service but also provide a conducive environment for the officers to drive innovation and deliver exceptional auditing.
The Government’s commitment to the growth and development of the Audit Service was a testament to the dedication of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo to fighting corruption and protecting the public purse, he noted.
“We are deeply appreciative of your leadership and foresight, which have made this feat a reality. Your Excellency, your investment in our infrastructure will have a lasting impact on the success of the Audit Service,” the Auditor-General said.
In an interview with the Ghana News Agency, Mr Lawrence Ndaago Ayagiba, the Deputy Auditor-General, Performance and Special Audits Department, said Audit personnel had to operate in offices belonging to regional coordinating councils and district assemblies over the years.
“In Twifo Praso, we had to operate from post offices. You cannot audit your landlords in peace with such a condition. The Government thought it was compromising our independence because we were living with our clients,” he noted.
Mr Ayagiba said the Government was committing another €11.5 million to building six regional offices in the six newly created regions and six additional districts with the funding support from the German Government.
Mr Nii Kwartei Titus Glover, the Greater Accra Regional Minister, said the importance of public financial management system could not be underestimated, making it imperative to police every cedi government dispensed at the district, regional and national levels.
He commissioned the office complex on behalf of Vice President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia and called on the Audit Service Management to commit some of its budgetary allocations to maintaining all their offices; the existing and newly constructed ones.
GNA