Speaker Bagbin with the committee members
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, has charged the newly inaugurated Audit Committee of the Parliamentary Service to scrutinise every cedi spent by Parliament and ensure the highest standards of financial accountability.
He said Parliament, as the institution responsible for holding the Executive accountable for the use of public funds, must demonstrate the same commitment to transparency and prudent financial management in its own operations.
“Parliament cannot demand accountability from others if it does not first account for its own spending. Police every cedi we spend,” he said.
The Speaker gave the directive at the inauguration of the committee in Parliament on Tuesday, stressing that the credibility of the legislature depended on the transparent and responsible use of the resources entrusted to it.
He urged members of the committee to discharge their duties without fear or favour and assured them of the full support of the Parliamentary Service Board and Management in carrying out their mandate.
“Every cedi entrusted to Parliament must be accounted for. Do your work without fear or favour, and know that the Board and Management stand fully behind you,” he added.
Mr. Bagbin tasked the committee to work closely with the Internal Audit Unit and Management of the Parliamentary Service to strengthen internal controls, ensure the timely implementation of audit recommendations and promote value for money in public expenditure.
He also urged the members to declare any personal or business interests that could compromise their independence or affect their work on the committee.
The Speaker commended the previous Audit Committee, established in 2022, for its achievements and encouraged the newly constituted committee to draw on the experiences and best practices of its predecessors while building on their accomplishments.
The Audit Committee is established under the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), which requires covered public entities to establish audit committees to ensure that recommendations from internal audit reports, the Auditor-General’s reports and the Public Accounts Committee are implemented.
For the Parliamentary Service, the committee’s responsibilities include following up on audit findings, strengthening internal controls and promoting value for money. It is also expected to hold management accountable where weaknesses are identified.
The Chairman of the committee and Acting Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Conrad Z. Dumbah, expressed appreciation to the Speaker for institutionalising the committee.
He emphasised the importance of good governance in advancing the national reset agenda.
Other members of the committee are Dr. Mark Arhin, representing the Internal Audit Agency; Joyce Opoku-Duodu, representing the Institute of Chartered Accountants; the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror; and Daniel Chirawura, Chief Finance Officer of the Parliamentary Service.
Also present at the inauguration were the Deputy Clerks to Parliament, Camillo Pwamang and Rosemary Sarkodie; the Chief Information Officer of the Information Management Services, Dr. Kate Addo; and the Deputy Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Bismarck Arborbi-Ayitey.
A Daily Guide Report