ORCC INAUGURATES AUDIT COMMITTEE FOR RCC AND NINE ASSEMBLIES
The Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) has inaugurated its Audit Committee and the Audit Committees of the Region’s nine (9) Municipal and District Assemblies, in line with the requirements of Ghana’s public financial management and accountability framework.
The inauguration, held at the ORCC Conference Hall, brought together members of the newly constituted committees, their respective secretaries, Coordinating Directors, Internal Auditors and Finance Officers from the various Assemblies, as well as other key stakeholders.
The occasion was also attended by the Municipal and District Chief Executives (MDCEs) of Kadjebi, Krachi East, Nkwanta South and Biakoye, who joined the event to lend their support to the strengthening of accountability and financial governance within the Region. Representatives of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), who participated virtually, also joined the ceremony on behalf of the Director-General of the Agency.
The representatives of the Internal Audit Agency formally administered the oath of office to members of the newly constituted Audit Committees, charging them to uphold the principles of integrity, independence, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities.
They also took participants through the mandate and functions of Audit Committees, highlighting their important role in strengthening internal controls, reviewing audit findings, monitoring the implementation of audit recommendations, identifying institutional risks and promoting sound financial management.
The representatives further emphasized the need for the committees to work closely with management, Internal Audit Units and other relevant stakeholders to ensure that identified weaknesses are addressed promptly and that audit recommendations are effectively implemented.
Delivering the address of the Hon. Regional Minister, Mr. Eric Yankson, Regional Director of the Internal Audit Unit of the Oti Regional Coordinating Council, congratulated the newly inaugurated members and underscored the importance of the committees to effective public sector governance.
The Minister noted that the inauguration represented an important step in the collective effort to strengthen accountability, transparency, prudent financial management and good governance within the Region. He stressed that public resources belong to the people and must therefore be managed efficiently, transparently and in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.
The Minister encouraged members of the Audit Committees to discharge their responsibilities with independence, objectivity, professionalism, courage and integrity. He noted that the role of the committees should not be seen simply as an exercise in finding faults, but rather as a mechanism for strengthening institutional systems, managing risks and protecting public resources.
He further urged the committees to pay particular attention to the effective follow-up and implementation of audit recommendations, stressing that audit reports would have limited impact if the issues identified were not addressed.The Minister also called on management of the various Assemblies to provide the Audit Committees with the necessary cooperation and support to enable them to effectively perform their functions.
He commended Audit Committees that have demonstrated commitment to their mandate over the years, particularly through the consistent holding of quarterly meetings and, where necessary, emergency meetings to address urgent matters, despite occasional delays in funding for their activities.
According to him, such commitment demonstrates that effective accountability is driven not only by the availability of resources but also by professionalism, dedication and a strong sense of responsibility.He therefore urged the newly inaugurated committees to see their appointment as a responsibility entrusted to them by the people of Ghana and to ensure that their work contributes to stronger internal controls, improved management of public resources and enhanced institutional performance.
The inauguration concluded with a renewed call for all stakeholders within the local government system to work together to strengthen accountability and safeguard the integrity of public institutions across the Oti Region.The newly inaugurated Audit Committees are expected to work collaboratively with management, Internal Audit, the Internal Audit Agency and other relevant accountability institutions to promote sound financial management and good governance within their respective institutions.
