Season’s greetings to all.
As we celebrate the joy of the festive season, it is an opportune moment to reflect on the year gone by.
The year has been a busy and eventful one, filled with significant milestones that align with our Service’s mandate and vision.
Notably, we successfully marked the commissioning of the following Regional and District Offices: Regional Office – Koforidua, Regional Office - Cape Coast, Regional Office – Ho, District Office – Dodowa, District Office – Asamankese, District Office – Offinso, District Office – Tepa, District Office – Effiduase.
Once more, I commend and thank the Deputy Auditor-General, Performance and Special Audit, for seeing to the completion of some of the Regional and District Office buildings. He has also managed to get a contract signed to enable us to put up additional 12 offices in the new Regions. Ayekoo
These new offices stand as a testament to our collective efforts to boost operational capacity and strengthen our services across the country.
In August, the Service also successfully launched the 2024 Financial - Audit Year and organised the Regional and District Auditors’ Conference on the theme: “Fiscal Sustainability and the role of the State Auditor”. These initiatives reinforce our dedication to accountability, strengthening audit structures, and improving service delivery.
During the year, the Board also approved the request for voluntary retirement based on medical reasons to three members of staff, who due to medical reasons or incapacitation, are unable to continue their duties. The decision was made to enable them focus on their health and well-being, and we extend our best wishes to them for better health and a restful retirement.
Also, this year, the Auditor-General was able to submit all the statutory Auditor-General’s report to Parliament before the mandatory deadline of 30th June. I congratulate the Auditor-General, Management and staff of the Service. I thank you very much for your hard work.
To further enhance service delivery, the Service recruited and welcomed 133 new staff. Their addition to the team is a testament of our commitment to growth and efficiency.
Additionally, the Board successfully conducted the 2024 April and October promotion interviews, which saw deserving staff being promoted to various grades. This achievement underscores our commitment to recognising and rewarding hard work and dedication within the Service.
Certainly, I cannot forget to congratulate our staff who passed their final professional examinations and were admitted to membership of their respective professional bodies. I also commend those who were successful in the various stages of their examinations.
Information on record shows that the Service now has 508 chartered accounting professionals and 30 non-accounting professionals as well as 1,343 first and second degree-holders. I take pride and honour in these achievements.
On a personal note, I remain grateful for the immerse support I received from the Board, management, and the entire staff during the launch of my book: “The Evolution of Professional Accounting from the Gold Coast to Ghana” in March, 2024.
However, amidst these achievements, we mourn the loss of 10 of our dear colleagues who passed on to glory during the year. Their contribution and presence will not be forgotten, and we extend our deepest sympathies to their families and loved ones. There are also a few who are unwell at home and on admission in the hospitals. I wish them speedy recovery.
I extend my heartfelt gratitude to every team member for their unwavering dedication and hard work throughout the year.
Together, we continue to drive progress and position the Service for even greater achievements in the years to come.
On behalf of the Board of the Audit Service and on my own behalf, I would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy, and peaceful Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
PROFESSOR EDWARD DUA AGYEMAN, CHAIRMAN, AUDIT SERVICE BOARD
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