The ECOWAS Association of Supreme Audit Institutions (ECASAI) has met in Accra to adopt a drafted constitution that will guide the activities of the association and deepen cooperation among members.
The drafting of the constitution was done in May 2019 when the members met in Accra. As part of the three days programme, which began on Wednesday, the countries would also seek to building the capacity of the human resources and create space for networking as well.
Acting Auditor General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, said ECASAI is a member of the International Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI), which is the umbrella organisation for national level audit institutions that works to establish international standards and good practices.
Mr. Asiedu said the creation of ECASAI was to tighten collaboration between audit service organisations within West Africa.
Among other benefits, the Acting Auditor General said the association will help promote collaboration among ECOWAS and member states auditing, stressing that member countries could share experience and expertise on performance audit and planning.
The Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister, Thomas Mbomba, said the government is fully in support of the establishment of ECASAI.
“Ghana is pleased with the steps taken by this august body to develop its foundational documents, tools, and a work plan to fulfill the vision of promoting good governance in the ECOWAS member states,” he stated.
Mr. Mbomba in his speech said the establishment of ECASAI would go a long way to improve upon accountability and transparency in the daily use of resources of ECOWAS member states in the implementation of national and regional projects.
Mr. Mbomba indicated that government is following developments taking place with regard to the implementation of the action plan on institutional reforms by all ECOWAS Community institutions, which is under the leadership of the President of the ECOWAS Commission.
President of the ECOWAS Commission, Baba Gana Wakil, also in his remarks, pledged the support of the Office of the Auditor General of ECOWAS to the ECASAI, stating that the establishment of ECASAI would promote transparency and greater accountability within West African states to attain the goals of the association.
