The newly inaugurated Audit Committee of the Parliamentary Service has been tasked to effectively police Parliament's financial expenditure and uphold the highest standards of accountability.
The committee must also ensure that, as the institution that holds the Executive accountable for the use of public funds, Parliament itself must be beyond reproach in managing its own resources.
The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, made the call during the inauguration of the new committee last Tuesday.
“Parliament cannot demand accountability from others if it does not first account for its own spending. Police every cedi we spend," he said.
Committee
Chaired by the acting Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Conrad Z. Dumbah, the committee has Dr Mark Arhin, who is representing the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), Joyce Opoku-Duodu, representing the Institute of Chartered Accountants, the Clerk to Parliament, Ebenezer Ahumah Djietror and the Chief Finance Officer of the Parliamentary Service, Daniel Chirawura.
It is established under the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), which requires covered public entities to set up audit committees. These committees ensure that recommendations from internal audit reports, the Auditor-General's reports and the Public Accounts Committee are implemented.
For the Parliamentary Service, this means following through on audit findings, strengthening internal controls and promoting value for money. It also means holding management to account where weaknesses are identified.
Present at the ceremony were Deputy Clerks, Camillo Pwamang and Rosemary Sarkodie, Dr Kate Addo, Chief Information Officer (IMS) and the Deputy Director-General of IAA, Bismarck Arborbi-Ayitey.
Strengthen internal controls
Mr Bagbin urged members to discharge their mandate without fear or favour, stressing that the credibility of Parliament depends on transparent and prudent use of the resources entrusted to it.
He assured the Committee of the full support of the Parliamentary Service Board and Management in carrying out its work.
"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", the Speaker stressed.
He further urged the committee to work closely with the Internal Audit Unit and Management of the Parliamentary Service to strengthen internal controls, ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations, and promote value for money in the use of Parliament's resources.
He also asked members to declare any personal or business interests that could affect their own work on the committee.
While wishing the new team the very best in their tenure, the Speaker also commended the previous Audit Committee established in 2022 for its achievements, and urged the newly constituted members to learn from their predecessors’ experiences and best practices while building on their accomplishments.
Professionalism
The Chairman of the Audit Committee expressed appreciation to the Speaker for institutionalising the Audit Committee and emphasised the importance of good governance in the ongoing national reset agenda.
He also, on behalf of the members, expressed appreciation for the trust reposed in them, pledging to discharge their role as required by law and with the highest sense of professionalism.
