Ghana’s Supreme Audit Institution (SAI), the Auditor General’s Office, has seen a significant decline in its independence, dropping from a grade “C” in 2021 to a “D” in the latest World Bank assessment covering 2023-2024. Apexnewsgh reports
The World Bank’s Independence and Accountability in Governance report evaluates the SAI’s independence and audit recommendation follow-up process, giving Ghana a score of 6.5 out of 10, indicating moderate independence.
The assessment highlights areas for improvement, including setting clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for audit recommendation follow-up and equipping Internal Audit Units (IAUs) with training, equipment, and databases.
The report also notes the non-implementation of audit recommendations, emphasizing the need for effective follow-up and tracking.
The World Bank encourages Ghana to refocus on all types of audits, promote probity and accountability, and enhance the deployment of public resources. The report also calls for Spending Officers to conduct root cause analyses of audit issues and communicate them clearly to resolve identified infractions.
The decline in Ghana’s SAI independence score is a concern, and addressing these recommendations is crucial to strengthening the independence of the Auditor General’s Office and ensuring effective governance and accountability.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
