Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, Executive Director of Economic and Organized Crime Office (EOCO), has urged all heads of institutions to support the work of internal auditors.
According to the EOCO Director, internal auditors are not given enough freewill to execute their jobs in their designated institutions despite their expertise and knowledge in the field.
Maame Tiwaa attributed this to the fact that some heads try to interfere in the work of internal auditors, even worse is their failure to make recommendations or offer solutions to the new findings of these auditors after reports are made.
As a result, she encouraged heads of institutions to allow for independence and also support the works of internal auditors.
“Internal auditors are people who help prevent corruption within institutions but many a time, they are not given the freedom to do their work. They have the knowledge and skills needed to help prevent corruption so that money is not wasted on investigations.
“Heads of organizations should therefore support internal auditors and allow them to do their work independently. When reports are prepared, they should look at it and help with recommendations. This is what will help our country grow.”
Maame Yaa Tiwaa
Maame Tiwaa shared these pieces of advice while speaking at a symposium held by the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) for the 2023 Internal Audit Awareness Week on the topic ‘Relevance of Preventing Corruption in Ghana Through Institutional Collaboration: Role of the internal auditor’.
President of the National Internal Auditors Association of MMDAs and RCCs, Michael Ayivi, also made an appeal for the Internal Audit Agency Act 2003 (Act 658) to be amended soon so as to cement the independence of internal auditors within institutions and also address the negative working conditions of internal auditors in the country.
Independence of Internal Auditors expected to help combat corrupt practices in the public sector
Mr. Ayivi earlier noted that working as an independent body will strengthen the fight against corrupt practices in the public sector. Not just that, but will also ensure effective delivery of their duties without fear. According to the NIIA President:
“When we have independence, we are not going to hunt. We would have the freedom to help management without fear or favor. But when there are witches, they must be hunted, or they hunt us.”
Michael Ayivi
