New Auditor-General seeks stronger ties with parliament to boost financial oversight
The newly appointed Auditor-General of Ghana, Dr. Pamela Graham, today paid a courtesy call on the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Djietror, at Parliament House in Accra. The visit is part of efforts to deepen collaboration between the Ghana Audit Service and the legislative arm of government, with a focus on strengthening financial oversight and accountability in the management of public resources.
Dr. Graham, who assumed office recently, used the meeting to outline her vision for the Service during her tenure. She emphasized three priority areas: enhanced transparency in audit processes, timely submission of audit reports to Parliament, and the adoption of modern digital tools to improve efficiency in public financial management.
According to her, delays in audit reporting and the manual handling of some audit processes have limited the impact of the Service’s work in previous years. She said her administration will leverage data analytics, electronic audit systems, and real-time monitoring platforms to track the use of public funds more effectively across Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies.
“We cannot afford to audit in silos or deliver reports that come too late to inform decision-making,” Dr. Graham stated. “My goal is to ensure that audit findings are not only accurate but are also delivered promptly and in a form that supports Parliament’s oversight function and the public’s right to know.”
Welcoming Dr. Graham, the Clerk to Parliament, Mr. Ebenezer Djietror, reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to supporting the Audit Service to deliver on its constitutional mandate. He commended her professional track record in public financial management and expressed confidence that her leadership would bring renewed energy to the scrutiny of government expenditure.
Mr. Djietror noted that Parliament, through the Public Accounts Committee and other relevant committees, relies heavily on timely and credible audit reports to hold the executive accountable. He pledged the legislature’s cooperation in facilitating access to information and in following up on audit recommendations to ensure implementation.
Both officials underscored the critical importance of a strong working relationship between the Audit Service and Parliament in safeguarding state resources. They agreed that prudent management of public funds is essential to delivering quality services to Ghanaians and maintaining public trust in government institutions.T
o sustain the momentum, Dr. Graham and Mr. Djietror agreed to institutionalize regular engagements between the two institutions. This, they said, will help address emerging audit-related issues promptly, resolve bottlenecks in report processing, and align the Audit Service’s annual work plan with Parliament’s oversight calendar.
The meeting ended with both leaders expressing optimism that the renewed partnership will lead to greater transparency, reduced waste, and improved value for money in the use of taxpayer funds.
Dr. Graham’s courtesy call is expected to be followed by similar engagements with key stakeholders, including the Minister of Finance and heads of civil society organizations, as she sets the tone for her tenure.
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