Mr. Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, the Auditor-General (A-G), has called on heads of public institutions to show keen interest and heighten their supervisory role over finances, areas of revenue and expenditure in their institutions.

This would help in reducing the number of irregularities and financial infractions recorded in public institutions in the country.

The 2020 A-G’s report indicates that financial irregularities committed by various Ministries, Departments and Agencies including cash, payroll, procurement, tax, stores, rent and contract irregularities, amounted to GH₵ 2,053,176,449.85

The A-G made the call at the launch of the 2021 Financial Audits in Accra on the theme “Ensuring Fiscal Sustainability Through Revenue Collection and Accounting – The Role of the State Auditor”.

The event also saw an exposition on “Citizenseye,” a mobile application that enables Ghanaians to rate and report issues relating to public services in the country for prompt action.  This formed part of efforts by the Audit Service in implementing the Whistle Blower Act, 2006 (Act 720), as the app provides anonymity for individuals who made report to the Service.

Mr. Asiedu lauded government for support given to the Service in carrying out its mandate, in the form of budget increment, financial clearance to recruit more staff, and buy cross-country vehicles for operational purposes.

Mrs. Abena Osei-Asare, Deputy Minister for Finance in a speech asked the A-G to provide an update of actions taken to address irregularities reported in previous audit reports.

The Minister also urged the A-G to name, shame and surcharge persons who misappropriated public funds to serve as a deterrent, saying such a measure would help gain public confidence in the work of the Service.

About the work of the Service, the Deputy Minister called for more public education on the work of the service, including explaining technicalities contained in the reports.

For his part, a member of the Council of State, Prof. Daniel Naa Bagah, who chaired the event, advised auditors to be professional in the discharge of their duties.