Accra, Nov.5, GNA - Government intends to establish an apex auditing body to co-ordinate activities of all internal auditors of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

President John Agyekum Kufuor, who announced this, said this was part of measures to make accountability a daily routine instead of the annual ritual that pertained in the past.

President Kufuor was addressing delegates attending the four-day Annual Review Meeting of the African Organisation of English Speaking Supreme Audit Institutions (AFROSAI-E) and South African Development Commission Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (SADCOSAI) for Auditors-General in Africa, who paid a courtesy call on him at the Castle, Osu.

He said Governments respected the role Auditors played in governance because they audited and presented reports on public institutions after their operations where many vices occurred but were most often swept under the carpet.

President Kufuor said auditing must not be made seasonal or done on annual basis but continuous by the internal auditor to make their activities wholesome. "It is in line with this that Government has planned to established an apex auditing body to co-ordinate activities of all internal auditors of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies", he said.

President Kufuor said the role of Auditors-General in governance and the emerging Africa would be needed if governments were to ensure good governance in the management of their countries, the African Union (AU) and the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD).

President Kufuor said it was through the Auditors-General that governments were made accountable to the people they governed because they had vital role to play to achieve good governance.

"Governments that want to win the confidence of the people must be vigilant in their duties and with the cardinal principles of NEPAD based on good governance and accountability, Auditors-General are the agencies through which such an objective could be achieved", he said. President Kufuor expressed appreciation to the Auditors-General, saying:

"Without you we cannot obtain the accountable and open governments we envisage in Africa. We share a common vision to have better governance on the Continent than in the past."

He advised the Auditors-General not to use their profession to persecute or engage in witch-hunt but to be objective and impartial in their operations to win the support and confidence of all the stakeholders in good governance.

Mr Shauket A. Fakie, Auditor-General of South Africa and Secretary General of the AFROSAI and SADCOSAI, said deliberations at the meeting had been intensive but would be fruitful and encouraging decisions would be taken.

Mr Edward Dua Agyeman, Ghana's Auditor-General, commended the Government for its tremendous assistance towards the organisation of the meeting.

Auditors-General of 22 African countries are attending the conference.