The Western North Regional office of the Audit Service has held its annual thanksgiving service at the Assemblies of God Church in Sefwi Bekwai, within the Bibiani-Anwhiaso-Bekwai Municipality.
The service was attended by Regional Officers from Sefwi Bekwai and District Officers from Bibiani, Sefwi Wiawso, and Enchi, showcasing the collaborative spirit of the regional audit community.
At the 2024 Annual Thanksgiving for Western North, Samuel Nii Odartey Lamptey, the Regional Auditor, recalled the previous thanksgiving event, where the Resident (Reverend Ackaah BoatengPastor’s prayers were pivotal for a prosperous 2023.
Quoting Friedrich Nietzsche, he emphasized the importance of gratitude, stating, “…And those who were seen dancing were thought to be insane by those who could not hear the music.”
He commended the Regional Office’s performance in 2023, noting that the team surpassed their target with 258 audits completed out of a planned 247, achieving a 104% completion rate.
He highlighted significant achievements, including the recovery of GHc386,326.25 into the national treasury and improvements in accountability among key institutions and assemblies.
Samuel Nii Odartey Lamptey reported that the Region had already contributed GHc307,295.57 to the public funds as of July 2024.
On the human resources front, he announced the promotion of seven officers and expressed hope for further advancements by year-end.
He also lauded the new state-of-the-art office complex for Bibiani District under the KFW Project and the addition of a brand-new vehicle, which he believes will enhance the district’s output and overall regional performance.
Nii Odartey Lamptey praised the successful collaboration with the Aowin Municipal Assembly and the Regional Coordinating Council, which has facilitated land allocation for the construction of the Enchi District Office (Adjeikaa) and the regional office (RCC enclave). He extended gratitude to the MCE of Aowin, the Regional Minister, and his team for their support.
As the region grows, Nii Odartey Lamptey urged attendees to appreciate the ongoing journey, quoting, “Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire. If you did, what would there be to look forward to?”
He acknowledged the challenges of upskilling human capital and addressing public financial management (PFM) deficiencies, emphasizing the importance of training and knowledge sharing.
Nii Odartey Lamptey concluded his address by stressing the need to uphold core values of integrity and professionalism and reaffirmed the Regional Management’s commitment to equity among staff.
Moro Asaktebawum Alangyam, Director of Audit for Sefwi Wiawso, said the audit service’s role is to ensure government funds are used judiciously and that audits should not be seen as adversarial but as a part of maintaining transparency and accountability.
He noted that many people and institutions are reluctant to undergo audits due to concerns about revealing shortcomings or procedural issues.
Moro Asaktebawum Alangyam stressed the need for government commitment to implement Auditor General’s reports and urged for open cooperation with audit services.
Rev. Patrick Kudaya, District Secretary of Assemblies of God, Ghana, Awaso-Bekwai, and Residence Pastor for Adjakaa-Manso, expressed his joy about the Audit Service joining them annually for their thanksgiving service.
Rev. Kudaya advised the Audit Service to perform their duties with integrity, be truthful, and uphold high standards to maintain their reputation.
Additionally, he encouraged the staff of the Service to seek God’s help in their endeavors, to achieve their goals and make meaningful progress.
