Audit Committees for 16 public hospitals in E/R inaugurated

Audit Committees for 16 public hospitals in the Eastern Region had been inaugurated and sworn into office at Koforidua.

The inauguration of the committees was in compliance with the Public Financial Act.

The committees are to ensure that the management of their respective institutions complies with recommendations of the internal auditor of their institutions and Parliament decisions on the Auditor General’s report among others.

The Audit Committees are also to advise the management of their institutions to ensure sound, transparent and efficient financial management practice.

In his inaugural address, the Deputy Eastern Regional Minister, Mr Samuel Nuertey Ayertey called on the management and board of governors of the health institutions to offer the needed support to the committees to enable them to fulfil their mandate.

He called on the members of the Audit Committees to be firm, sincere and honest in their duties.

Mr Ayertey urged the members of the committees to be very professional and handle all information that they come across in the discharge of their duty with the confidentiality that it deserves.

He assured the members of the committees of the full support of the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council.

In an interview with the media, Mr Jones Appiah, the Eastern Regional Internal Auditor explained that the Internal Auditors group had recommended to the President to ensure that the Internal Audit Unit of Public Institutions is placed directly under the Ministry of Finance.

He explained that such arrangements would create the environment for Internal Auditors to be professional and avoid any manipulation by the management of their institutions.

Earlier in a welcoming address, the Deputy Eastern Regional Director of Health in charge of Administration, Mr Peter Boateng said this is the first time that audit committees are being established for public hospitals in the region in response to the demands of the Public Service Financial Act and the demand for cost-effective use of public resources.

He urged the members of the committees to live above reproach.