Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has called for a revamped and more effective internal audit system as a critical solution to the persistent problems plaguing the country’s public financial management.
Speaking at the inauguration of a newly constituted nine-member Governing Board for the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Dr. Forson stated, “We must turn the Internal Audit Agency around and restore it to the purpose for which it was established.” The Board brings together professionals from internal auditing, accountancy, finance, and human resource management, and will be responsible for crafting strategies to reposition and strengthen the agency.
The Minister pointed to the repeated findings in the Auditor-General’s reports as clear evidence of deep-rooted weaknesses in Ghana’s accountability systems, particularly in the internal audit function. He directed the Board to enforce accountability measures, including sanctioning auditors who neglect their responsibilities and revoking their licenses where necessary. He also stressed the importance of continuous professional development for agency staff, noting that “The level of waste is too high, and the Ghanaian taxpayer is losing too much. We need to find a way to fix it.”
Dr. Forson announced plans to create an “Auditors’ Court”, a dedicated supervisory mechanism to boost oversight of internal auditors and increase public accountability. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting the agency’s rebranding efforts and broader fiscal reforms aimed at restoring public confidence in financial management.
He concluded by urging Board members to serve with integrity and champion the auditing profession, adding, “Your success must be reflected in the Auditor-General’s report.”
