Autonomy of internal auditors sure cure for official corruption in Africa—Ghana Audit chief
Ghana Auditor General, Mr Daniel Yao Dormelevo has opened up on one of the most official ways of fighting official corruption in African government, saying the best bet remains the autonomy of Auditor general’s offices in the continent.
Several reports have shown that economy threatening corruption cases are those perpetrated within government MDAs.
Speaking at the 3rd Bi-Annual Conference of Regional Auditors in Ho, Ghana, on the theme: ‘In the Era of Disallowance and Surcharge, the Role of the Regional Auditors,’ Dormelevo argued that “Internal auditors were the custodians of accountability, yet were weakened by employer-dominance and political interference, and must be granted full independence to deliver the mandate of the Audit Service.”
“We need to take a second look at internal audit. They can be likened to the eyes and ears of management. They are with the institution, and they can save the country from a lot of losses that we have been incurring over the years. But they are weak. They don’t have the independence to do their work,” he said.
Business Hilights Ghana Bureau Chief report that the Auditor General said the burden of the audit lay on the shoulders of the internal audit unit, and they must show strength in the face of work related challenges, and must not be coaxed or threatened into producing shoddy work.
“Let’s not take the risk associated with our office as an excuse of non-performance. Yes there is risk, but it is part of the occupational hazard and we must accept and drive on for God and for Country, and not for our personal interest, “he said.
Mr Dormelevo said the concept of protecting the public purse hinged on Government’s fiscal responsibility, the strategic allocation of resources, efficient service delivery, and the elimination of corruption, adding, and the latter was a “major threat that must be fought”.
“My colleague auditors, let’s not be afraid in fighting corruption. When you fight corruption, it would fight you back. When they praise you too much it means you are a bad auditor,” he said.
Dormelevo therefore asked the public to collaborate more with the Service, adding that it was not formed to witch-hunt individuals and organisations, and noted that its delivery included; pre and post audit engagements in addition to a 30-day window for redress before reports were validated and made public.
