The Auditor-General is convinced the building of permanent office infrastructure for the Audit Service across the country will allow the effective and efficient delivery of its mandate.
Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu observes the Service has over the years compromised the discharge of its duties to thoroughly probe state-owned businesses and institutions, owing to undue influence.
The Ghana Audit Service has over the years come under criticism for allegedly relenting in efforts to effectively scrutinize the financial records of state-owned institutions.
Their independence to carry out their duties without fear or favour had been compromised.
The service hitherto faced significant challenges in securing suitable office accommodation, often relying on district assemblies for office space or being forced to rent facilities.
At the commissioning of the district office for the Ahafo Ano North district, the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, explained the absence of permanent infrastructure with well-equipped resources impacted their services.
“The assemblies we audit are the very ones that provide us with office spaces. Next time, if you are ready to audit them you will be very reluctant and compromises our independence as a service to probe them. We are thankful for these edifices across the country,” he said.
The new office at Tepa is one of sixteen edifices built across selected districts of the country, and the second in the Ashanti region, after Offinso.
It houses well-equipped offices and other ancillary facilities to support the daily administrative and technical duties of the service in the area.
Representative of the Ashanti regional minister, George Kwakye Andoh, believes the facility would strengthen the works of the service.
“This project will strengthen the regional and district infrastructure of the audit service thereby enhancing its constitutional mandate of promoting good governance, transparency, probity and accountability,” he said.
Tepamanhene, Dr. Nana Adusei Atwenawah Ampem I, urged good maintenance culture.
Meanwhile, the government has promised to secure a 11-million-dollar facility to support the construction of 12 new regional and district offices across Ghana.