Public Accounts Committees tipped on audit reporting

By Francis Emorut

Public accounts committee chairpersons from eastern, western and southern Africa have been trained in audit reporting in order to detect fraud in procurement processes in government institutions and to hold executive accountable.

“Our biggest challenge in African countries is accountability. Therefore, equipping chairpersons of Public Accounts Committees and their members is paramount,” Albert Kan-Dapaah, the chairman of West African Association of Public Accounts Committees, said.

He made the comments during the accountability conference at Speke Resort Munyonyo in Kampala.

The conference was organised by the Eastern African Association of Public Accounts Committees and Southern Africa Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees.

The training was facilitated by the World Bank Institute and GTZ.

It attracted delegates and auditor generals from 16 African countries .

They include Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Sychelles, South Sudan, Namibia, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Siera Leone, Swaziland, Botswana Lesotho and South Africa.

Kan-Dapaah said most chairpersons of the oversight committees are not trained in accounting and, therefore, lack knowledge in finance management systems.

“We need to develop ability to hold executive accountable,” he said.

He said training in audit reporting was vital so as to enhance skills in comprehending the accountability systems.

The chairperson of the parliamentary public accounts committee, Kassiano Wadri, said the training will help individuals working in accounts committees to improve their capacity in research and adhere to good financial practices as conducted by the Auditor General.

He also stressed the need to harmonise quality and performance of public accounts committees in the regions.

Sipho Makama, the chairperson of Southern African Development Community Organisation of Public Accounts Committees, said the training will enable members of public accounts share knowledge and experiences that will facilitate good governance and accountability.