The Ghana Audit Service has officially opened a new District Office in Asamankese in the Eastern Region.
This newly commissioned facility represents a substantial upgrade from the previous office, which was housed within the District Assembly’s premises. The move to a dedicated office space is expected to enhance both the efficiency and the working conditions for the Audit Service staff in the region.
The commissioning ceremony was attended by the Eastern Regional Minister, Seth Achampong, who represented President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo. In his address, Mr Achampong expressed the President’s satisfaction with the development, highlighting the importance of the new office not only for Asamankese, but for the entire Ghana Audit Service infrastructure across the country.
“I am elated to be here in the Eastern Region for the commissioning of the Audit Service’s Asamankese District Office. This marks the 9th such office to be commissioned this year alone, following the successful opening of new offices in Koforidua and Cape Coast,” Achampong stated on November 26.
The Minister underscored the government’s continued commitment to improving the working environments of the Audit Service, noting that these efforts are part of broader national objectives to strengthen accountability and transparency in public financial management.
A Milestone in the Expansion of Audit Service Infrastructure
The journey to this milestone began in 2016 when Ghana’s Cabinet approved a loan facility of EUR 13 million from KfW, the German Development Bank Group, to fund the construction of 25 regional and district offices for the Ghana Audit Service.
In a positive development, the government of Germany pledged an additional EUR 11.5 million during the 2020 Ghana/Germany Intergovernmental negotiations. This generous support enabled the construction of six additional regional and six district offices, including the newly completed Volta Regional Office. With these developments, the Ghana Audit Service is well-positioned to improve its oversight functions across the country.
Enhancing Governance and Accountability
Minister Achampong emphasized that the completion of these office complexes plays a crucial role in strengthening the Ghana Audit Service’s ability to fulfill its constitutional mandate of promoting good governance, transparency, accountability, and probity in the country’s financial management system.
The new facilities will provide auditors with better working conditions, thereby enabling them to carry out their vital role of auditing government expenditures, investigating financial mismanagement, and ensuring that public funds are used efficiently.
He also highlighted the government’s ongoing support for the Auditor-General’s office, which has helped bring to fruition several important infrastructure projects that had previously been stalled. These include the completion of a four-story regional office complex in Kumasi, a three-story office in Tamale, as well as district offices in Agona, Winneba, Tumu, and Kete Krachi—now all fully operational.
A Dream Realized for Asamankese District Staff
The new Asamankese office has been particularly well-received by the district’s Audit Service staff. Mr. Frederick Okraku, the Amasaman District Auditor described the new facility as a “dream come true.”
He noted that the staff had long been working under less-than-ideal conditions, and the new office—financed through German cooperation—would significantly improve both the efficiency and effectiveness of the Audit Service in the district.
The Auditor-General of Ghana, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, also expressed his gratitude during the ceremony, commending the government for its steadfast support in enhancing the capacity of the Audit Service. He reiterated that the President’s dedication to supporting accountability institutions, such as the Audit Service, is a clear reflection of his commitment to tackling corruption and ensuring transparency in the management of public funds.
Strengthening Accountability at the Local Level
The expansion of the Ghana Audit Service’s infrastructure is part of a broader effort to decentralize the country’s audit functions, ensuring that financial oversight is not only limited to the capital but also reaches local districts and regions. With better facilities and greater capacity, the Audit Service will be able to more effectively monitor government spending, promote transparency, and support the fight against corruption at the local level.
As Ghana continues to prioritize good governance, the opening of the Asamankese District Office stands as a testament to the government’s ongoing commitment to improving public financial management systems and creating an accountable, transparent public sector.
The new facility is expected to strengthen the Audit Service’s ability to serve the people of Asamankese and the broader Eastern Region, ensuring that public resources are well-managed for the benefit of all citizens.
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By PR Department of Audit Service
