The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) has organised a one-day training workshop in Accra aimed at enhancing media professionals’ understanding of the Auditor General’s Reports.
The workshop was attended by selected journalists from both public and private media outlets, the workshop sought to equip them with the skills necessary to interpret, distill, and accurately report on these reports.
This initiative is part of GACC’s larger project, dubbed: “Building Evidence for Increased Accountability in Ghana through a Multi-Stakeholder Accountability Initiative,” which promotes transparency and accountability in public financial management.
In her address, GACC Executive Secretary Beauty Emefa Narteh emphasized the importance of proper dissemination of the Auditor General’s findings. She noted that the current gap in understanding these reports hampers effective media reporting.
“With funding from the Hewlett Foundation, GACC is training journalists across the country to better understand audit reports and the public financial management cycle,” Narteh explained. She stressed the need for follow-up stories and in-depth analyses of audit reports to ensure the public is well-informed.
The Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr. Eric Oduro-Osae, highlighted the crucial role of internal auditors in preventing corruption and financial irregularities in Ghana.
However, he pointed out that internal auditors face challenges such as weak legal frameworks, poor working conditions, and lack of resources.
He called for government action to strengthen internal audit laws, improve working conditions, and prevent the professional abuse of internal auditors.
Dr. Oduro-Osae also emphasized that empowering internal auditors and focusing on preventive measures would curb financial irregularities before they occur.
He urged the government to completely restructure the internal audit process and pass amendments to the internal audit laws.
More so, he also stressed the importance of ensuring that public funds are spent with value for money, considering not just efficiency and effectiveness, but also environmental impact.
Seth Joseph Bokpe, Associate Editor of the Fourth Estate, also used the opportunity to guide journalists on Right to Information (RTI) laws and how to leverage them to improve their reporting.
Participants commended the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) for organizing the insightful training, noting that it would better equip them to grasp the intricacies of the Auditor General’s Reports.
The training workshop concluded with a call for improved internal audit systems to enhance accountability, ensuring that public resources are used for their intended purposes.
Source: Isaac Kofi Dzokpo/newsghana.com.gh
