Dr Ernest Addison
The Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana (ICAG), says it has begun an enquiry into the role of auditors in the collapse of seven indigenous banks.
ICAG says it will take appropriate action against members who are found culpable in the collapse of the banks.
In a statement, ICAG said it “has noted with great concern the current developments in the banking industry with particular reference to the collapse of seven banks. The Council of the Institute wishes to assure the general public that the Institute has a formalised procedure to handle complaints against its members.”
ICAG said “the Professional Standards and Ethics Committee of the Institute, in line with its mandate, has initiated the necessary enquiries on the matter and an appropriate action will be taken if merit to the complaint is established.”
The move by ICAG follows concerns of the general public on why the external auditors of these banks could not pick up any signal during the audit process.
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) last week revoked the licences of five universal banks, namely, Royal Bank, Construction Bank, Sovereign Bank, uniBank and BEIGE Bank.
According to the Central Bank, the action was taken due to the inability of the banks to meet existing minimum capital requirement.
Some of the troubled banks also faced liquidity issues while others obtained their licences through dubious means.
– Myjoyonline