President John Agyekum Kufuor has approved a comprehensive insurance plan for staff of the Audit Service who audit missions and other state institutions abroad.
This follows a proposal presented by the Audit Service Board following last month's terrorist attacks on the United States.
Staff of the Ghana Audit Service have been auditing the United Nations and its agencies over the past 26 years and there are about 30 staff currently working on missions abroad.
Mr Edward Dua Agyeman, acting Auditor-General told the Ghana News Agency in Accra yesterday that the plan by the Gemini Life Insurance Company would enable relatives of staff who might be caught up in disasters to benefit from their losses.
The package covers 24-hour death and accident indemnity benefits including permanent and temporary disability and medical and dread disease or terminal illness benefit.
He said the success of audit personnel in checking malfeasance in public administration depends largely on their commitment. He said the government's approval of the plan was in line with its policy of zero tolerance for corruption, adding, "An efficient audit body is a sure way to stem corruption."
"Government is strengthening state institutions like the audit service to function effectively to ensure efficient use of state resources and accountability."
Mr Dua said under a three-year plan, offices of the service would be increased from the present 65 to cover all the 110 districts.
This would include the upgrading of district branch offices and making them autonomous and headed by personnel of the rank of assistant director.
He said the service is working to ensure compliance of audit recommendations by companies, corporations, ministries, departments and agencies and to improve public access to audit reports.
