The governing Board and top management of Ghana Audit Service have paid a day’s working visit to staff of Dodowa and Tema district offices in the Greater Accra Region.

The joint visit was led by Prof. Edward Duah Agyeman, Chairman of the Board, and the Auditor-General (A-G) Mr. Daniel Yaw Domelevo.

Dodowa
Addressing the staff at Dodowa, the A-G disclosed that the visit was to familiarize and be apprised with conditions under which the staff worked at the district offices. He emphasized that though the Board and Management were labouring to improve working conditions, the two bodies needed to corroborate the state of affairs. He said “seeing things as they are will enable us place them in proper context when planning and strategizing for the use of our limited resources”.

Mr. Domelevo entreated the staff to work harder to justify the positions they occupy noting; “many people wish to be where you are. Consider yourselves privileged and work to justify the trust the state has reposed in you”. He reminded the staff to remain professional and polite to client.

The Board Chairman, Prof. Edward Dua Agyeman on his part commended the employees for helping the A-G to deliver on his mandate. He appealed to them to uphold integrity and the pride of place the Service occupies. He said, “As state auditors, you have a duty to keep your integrity at all times since citizens trust you to protect the public purse”.

The District Auditor, Mrs. Christiana Yelbelt outlined a catalogue of challenges the staff faced. Notable among such were office accommodation, ancillary staff like as security and refresher training for staff to audit automated systems.

She informed the Board and Management that her Office had acquired an acre of land, with title and building permit necessary for the Service to put up office accommodation.

Currently, the office is occupying a structure provided by the Shai Osudoku District Assembly. She therefore appealed to the Board to mobilise resources to develop the land which when completed would provide comfortable and much more secured space for staff.

Responding to the District Auditor, Management assured her and the staff that the issues would receive needed attention since the purpose of the visit was to assess challenges and profess lasting solutions. The Regional Auditor, Mr. Robert K. Fiadzoe welcomed the team to the Region and led them to pay a courtesy call on the District Assembly. They were met by the District Coordinating Director, Mr. P. M. Ofori.

Tema
The team continued to Tema to meet the staff. The Tema Metropolitan Director of Audits, Ms. Gloria Owusu-Afram welcomed the Board and Management to the Metropolis and outlined factors hampering smooth operations.

The Board Chairman, Prof. Dua Agyeman assured that they would as a matter of urgency send technical people to examine the best approach to addressing the building defects to find a lasting solution. He appealed to the staff to be disciplined and respect each other. He commended them for upholding professionalism standards.

The A-G disclosed that Management was working around the clock to automate all audit activities to enhance supervision and electronic monitoring of progress of work. “As part of the package, all district and regional offices would have Wi-Fi to monitor work progress even from the head office”. He announced that the KfW is supporting the Service to put up 25 offices to accommodate employees across the country while existing offices would see a facelift.