Audit Service office complex inaugurated in Ho

A GH¢16.4-million office complex for the Audit Service has been inaugurated in Ho.

The facility was constructed with the support of the German government, through its development bank, KfW.

The edifice was constructed by Matapo Ltd, a local company, within 24 months.

It has two conference halls, an auditorium, various office units, a pantry and facilities for people with disabilities.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr Archibald Yao Letsa, inaugurated the edifice on behalf of President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo yesterday.

In a speech read on his behalf, the President said the office complex would strengthen the capacity of the Audit Service to execute its constitutional mandate of promoting good governance, transparency, accountability and probity in the country’s financial management system.

“In order to safeguard consistent and efficient mandate delivery by the Auditor-General, my government has over the years ensured the office of the Auditor-General received its fair share of the budgetary allocation,” he said.

That, the President maintained, had enabled the service to commit funds from the Government of Ghana’s budget to complete its projects that were started in 2012 and abandoned at various stages, across the country.

He said notable among them were the four-storey building complex in Kumasi, a three-storey regional office in Tamale, as well as the district offices in Agona, Winneba, Tumu and Kete Krachi.

“These district offices are not only complete but are currently being used by staff of the service,” he added.

Further, the President said the service had re-roofed and renovated its hitherto uninhabitable buildings in Obuasi, Agona Swedru, Denu and Akropong.

President Akufo-Addo congratulated the Auditor-General and the Board of the Ghana Audit Service on their efficient and effective leadership, and the team of architects, consultants and contractors who worked tirelessly with dedication to complete the office complex.

The Portfolio Manager of KfW, Viktoria Kowarzik, said strengthening the capacity of the service would enhance the country’s development agenda to improve accountability for public finance and foster economic growth.

It would also enable the citizenry to understand how state resources were utilised, the KfW portfolio manager added. She gave an assurance that Germany remained committed to supporting Ghana in the area of transparent governance.

The Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, said the edifice bore ample testimony to the government’s foresight and was a legacy to positively impact the future successes of the Audit Service.

The Volta Regional Auditor, Moses Ahiatsi, described the office complex as a huge relief to the service, saying the vast office spaces in the new building would facilitate greater ease in the auditing of public accounts.  

Dr Archibald Yao Letsa commended the contractors for the quality and speedy work done.