By
Bertha Badu-Agyei, GNA
Accra, Sept. 20, GNA – The Public Financial
Management (PFM) Network Ghana has called on President Akufo-Addo to intervene
in the impasse between Mr Daniel Domelevo, the Auditor-General and the Board
Chairman of the Ghana Audit Service Dr Yaw Agyeman Duah.
“The PFM is deeply concerned about recent
developments at the Audit Service and its implication for good corporate
governance vis-à-vis the mandate of protecting the public purse, for the
Auditor-General and the Chairman of the Board to be trading such allegations
and counter-allegations in the manner and form it has taken gives a cause to
worry”.
A statement signed by Mr Charles Othniel
Abbey, the Executive Secretary of the PFM, and copied to the Ghana News Agency,
said in such situations “it is the institution that suffers further dents and
image”.
It said the basic thing an Auditor needed to
function properly was independence, therefore, it is imperative for the
Auditor-General to be given the fullest independence and support by delineating
his role from the board chair and other members with respect to the Audit
Service Act sections 11 and 14.
The statement said “in recent past, we have
not seen such a strong-willed Auditor-General who possesses the public courage
and sense of urgency in pursuit of his responsibilities as we have seen with Mr
Daniel Domelovo, his leadership and safeguarding the public purse is what
inspires confidence within civil society groups like the PFM Network Ghana and
the citizens at large”.
It said such a strong personality was needed
to strengthen and rebuild an institution such as the Audit Service.
The statement said efforts of the
Auditor-General in safeguarding the public purse across the Metropolitan,
Municipal and District Assembles leading to the uncovering of financial
irregularities between 2016 and 2017 could not be overemphasized and this
requires the fullest support.
It said “as we await the outcome of the
Committee set up to investigate the impasse, we appeal to the President to
ensure a holistic and well-grounded recommendations to not only address the
Board-Management relations of the Ghana Audit Service, but also serve as
guidance for other state agencies”.
The PFM Network-Ghana is made up of 49 civil
society organizations working in about 120 districts with 10 regional conveners
across the country, to serve as a platform to create awareness and deepen
citizen’s knowledge in public financial management information in communities,
thereby contributing to the efficient, effective and transparent management of
public resources at the national and sub national levels.
GNA