Promoting Good Governance in Public Institutions in Ghana, the Role of the Internal Auditor
RESEARCH PROPOSAL
Promoting Good Governance in Public Institutions of Ghana: The Role of the Internal Auditor
Introduction
All over the world there is a realization that the Internal Audit activity has the potential to provide hitherto unparalleled services to management in the conduct of their duties. This potential has been turned into a challenge and embodied in the new definition of Internal Auditing from the Institute of Internal Auditors (the IIA).
Background of the Study
The Government of the Republic of Ghana by the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658)established the Internal Audit Agency “as an apex oversight body to co-ordinate, facilitate and provide quality assurance for Internal Audit activities within the public sector” (Section 16 of Act658). The Internal Auditor’s value lies in how well he has been able to contribute to the achievement of the overall organizational objective. The Internal Auditor should constantly seek to make himself relevant to his organisation by providing information that will make management take decisions that impact positively on their ability to achieve the organizational goals. However, according to research and surveys conducted by Deloitte & Touché (2004) and the Internal Audit Agency of Ghana (2006), much of the work of Internal Audit has been very restrictive in terms of scope. This needs to be addressed if the required return on investment in the Internal Audit activity is to be attained.
Problem Statement
Public sector managers do not support Internal Audit. The Internal Audit function in the Ghanaian public sector faces a perception and, to some extent, a credibility problem as a value-adding unit of the organization. The Internal Audit Agency (2006) believes that the importance of Internal Audit is "shrouded in obscurity”. This unfortunate background continues to play down the importance of Internal Audit as a key function that can strengthen the oversight responsibility of the governing body. This reflects
Promoting Good Governance in Public Institutions of Ghana: The Role of the Internal Auditor
Introduction
All over the world there is a realization that the Internal Audit activity has the potential to provide hitherto unparalleled services to management in the conduct of their duties. This potential has been turned into a challenge and embodied in the new definition of Internal Auditing from the Institute of Internal Auditors (the IIA).
Background of the Study
The Government of the Republic of Ghana by the Internal Audit Agency Act, 2003 (Act 658)established the Internal Audit Agency “as an apex oversight body to co-ordinate, facilitate and provide quality assurance for Internal Audit activities within the public sector” (Section 16 of Act658). The Internal Auditor’s value lies in how well he has been able to contribute to the achievement of the overall organizational objective. The Internal Auditor should constantly seek to make himself relevant to his organisation by providing information that will make management take decisions that impact positively on their ability to achieve the organizational goals. However, according to research and surveys conducted by Deloitte & Touché (2004) and the Internal Audit Agency of Ghana (2006), much of the work of Internal Audit has been very restrictive in terms of scope. This needs to be addressed if the required return on investment in the Internal Audit activity is to be attained.
Problem Statement
Public sector managers do not support Internal Audit. The Internal Audit function in the Ghanaian public sector faces a perception and, to some extent, a credibility problem as a value-adding unit of the organization. The Internal Audit Agency (2006) believes that the importance of Internal Audit is "shrouded in obscurity”. This unfortunate background continues to play down the importance of Internal Audit as a key function that can strengthen the oversight responsibility of the governing body. This reflects
References: The Institute of Internal Auditors (the IIA). (2007), The Professional Practices Framework. Florida, U.S.: The IIA Research Foundation. Spencer, P. K. H. (2003), The Internal Auditing Handbook. U.K. City University Press. Deloitte & Touché Enterprise Risk Services & Institute of Internal Auditors – UK and Ireland(2004), The Value Agenda. Available at www.iia.org.uk , (Accessed on 14 April 2009).Internal Audit Agency, Republic of Ghana. (2007), Annual Report to the Office of the President .Accra: the IAA Internal Audit Agency, Republic of Ghana. (2006), Championing Excellence in Universities of Ghana: The Role of the Internal Auditor.