Wa, Oct. 20, GNA - Mr Edward Dua-Agyemang, Auditor-General on Friday said the Ghana Audit Service would train and recruit hard working and competent personnel of the National Youth Employment Programme, who were currently serving with the Service.

Mr Dua-Agyemang expressed the hope that the recruitment would offset the perennial shortage of staff currently facing the Service, especially in the Upper West, Upper East and Northern Regions as a result of people refusing to accept postings to the areas in fear of lack of accommodation and other amenities. He said this when he met with Mr George Hikah Benson, Upper West Regional Minister during a brief visit to interact with the staff of the Audit Service on their challenges, especially in the wake of recent floods that hit the three regions. Mr Dua-Agyemang who visited Salaga, Yendi and Tamale in the Northern Region and also Bolgatanga and other communities affected by the floods.

He said the Service was fraught with serious problems that were impinging on staff performance in the northern part of the country and called for support from the private sector and international community to enable it meet the challenges.

He indicated that he would be meeting with Members of Parliament from the three northern regions to deliberate on the problems. He mentioned lack of vehicles and equipment, including office and residential accommodation for the staff as the main challenges. For example, he said members of staff of the Sissala East District office of the Audit Service, who should be based at Tumu, were operating from Wa, the Regional capital because of lack of such facilities. Mr Benson commended Mr Dua-Agyemang for his commitment to the efficiency of the Service.

He said the floods destroyed farms belonging to some 4,000 farmers in the region and called for assistance to alleviate their plight. 20 Oct. 07