Accra, Aug 22, GNA - Vice President John Dramani Mahama has tasked the Audit Service (AS) to devise strategies for establishing basic public understanding and the requisite attitudes towards ensuring accountability and transparency in public office. "Much of public dissatisfaction with governance has to do with issues of trust and a gap between what the public expects and what is actually delivered," he noted.

The AS, the Vice President urged, should, therefore, help to foster a common understanding on accountability and its related issues among policy makers, government employees and the public. He gave the assignment at a dinner and awards ceremony to mark the centenary celebration of the Service, in a speech read for him by Mr Alban Bagbin, Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, in Accra at the weekend.

The Vice President stressed: "As stakeholders in corporate Ghana, we look up to the AS to provide us assurance that government with public financial business is being conducted in a transparent manner and that every one in a position of authority and influence is being responsible and accountable for funds entrusted to them." Consequently, the Service should, continue to work to enhance efficiency, accountability and transparency in the management of public sector resources.

"Government believes that every healthy democracy thrives on efficient reporting of government financial information," he said. "Without accurate fiscal information, delivered regularly, in an easily-understandable format, citizens lack the knowledge they need to interact with their leaders.

Vice President Mahama pledged the government's continued support in resourcing the Service to enable it to render its crucial services. "In this regard I want to assure the Auditor-General that the special request for logistic support to commemorate the occasion of your 100 years anniversary has received attention and the appropriate releases would be made soon," he said. Mr Mahama stated that apart from offering recommendations that had sealed revenue leakages, auditors also played a major role in reducing the risk of corruption in public organizations, through investigations, audits and reviews of controls. The ceremony was attended by representatives of sister-state auditing institutions from the West African sub-region, members of the diplomatic Corps, Ghana's development partners, Members of Parliament, representatives from government agencies, and others. Awards were given to retired and serving staff who distinguished themselves in their duties. Mr Richard Quartey, Auditor-General, challenged the staff "to put our shoulders to the wheel" and work hard to enable the Service to achieve its targets. Mr Quartey told staff that their calls for enhancement of conditions of service must be backed by productivity. The dinner and awards ceremony climaxed the week-long celebration, which began last Monday.