GHS: Audit Committee Of The Health Sector Institutions Inaugurated

The Internal Audit Authority (IAA) in collaboration with the Ghana Health Service (GHS) inaugurated the Audit Committees of the Health Sector Institutions under the GHS.

According to the Ashanti Regional Health Directorate, the audit Committee will support the Service in their financial management for prudent use of funds and enable better accountability.

The IAA is established under the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658), and is mandated under the Guidelines for Effective Functioning of Audit Committees (2023) to ensure that Covered Entities have functioning Audit Committees.

Established under Sections 86-88 of the PFM Act 2016 (Act 921), operating without a functional Audit Committee violates the financial management laws of Ghana hence the inauguration for improved Financial Governance of the Health Sector Institutions.

Dr Emmanuel Tenkorang in his address disclosed that with the demand for public goods and services on the increase and with limited resources to meet these needs, managers of public institutions must use cost-effective ways to manage the resources made available to them; and auditing acts as a catalyst for enhancing and protecting organizational values.

He urged the audit committee members to live above reproach and continue to be very professional in providing advice, promoting business ethics, monitoring compliance with relevant laws and evaluating policies to improve the governance practices in our institutions.

Mr. Hayford Dowona, Head of Operations at the Internal Audit Agency observed irregularities captured by the auditor general’s report in the health sector. He was optimistic that the audit committees implement recommendations to minimize infractions.

He added that audit committees have come to stay and ensure proper Risk and Financial management issues and compliance with laws.

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