ACCRA – WEDNESDAY AUGUST 1, 2018: The Head of the Local Government Service, Ing. Dr. Nana Ato Arthur addressed the opening session of the 2018 Annual Internal Audit Conference held at the Accra International Conference Centre. The conference was under the theme: Leadership and Good Governance; Key to Effective Public Financial Management. The special guest for the event was H.E. the President of the Republic of Ghana, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo.
Dr. Arthur in a brief address acknowledged the role of the Internal Auditors in ensuring effective public financial management. He noted that, the creation of internal audit units as part of the Regional Coordinating Councils and District Assemblies had resulted in improved financial management. The Head of Service said, to deepen the good financial management gains and reduce infractions reported annually through audits, the LGS had planned a session that would bring together four key officers of Assemblies namely; MMDCEs, MMDCDs, Internal Auditors and Finance Officers to deliberate on issues to chart the way forward.
The President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo said, Internal Auditors constitute the first line of defense in the fight against corruption in public institutions and must therefore work professionally in providing independent and objective assessment of institutional operational systems and structures of governance. He applauded Internal Auditors for their effort in ensuring the protection of the public purse. He said Internal Auditors could do more to help improve public financial management by strengthening control systems; ensuring compliance to laws, policies and procedures; and providing assurance and advisory services to safeguard public resources. He urged them to continue with the good work in the fight against corruption.
The Head of Service was accompanied by the Ag. Chief Director, Mr James Oppong-Mensah and the Director of Internal Audit Unit, Mr. Thomas Addoquaye Allotey of the Office of the Head of Local Government Service (OHLGS).