By Juliet Aguiar DUGBARTEY
The Office of the Auditor General has urged journalists to enhance their knowledge of accounting procedures and fiscal disclosure to increase the precision of coverage regarding audit outcomes.
The department voiced worry that certain headlines taken from the Auditor-General’s yearly reports can be deceptive, giving the false notion that all improper actions constitute embezzlement.
Fred Lokko, Assistant Director of Audit and Information Officer with the Ghana Audit Service, stated that phrases like “cash discrepancies” do not always indicate embezzlement, but could also signify administrative errors.
He addressed an audience during a two-day media training session focused on the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report, hosted by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), supported by the Hewlett Foundation. Approximately 50 reporters from six areas participated in the gathering under the theme ‘
Creating proof of greater responsibility in Ghana via a collaborative accountability program
’.
Mr. Lokko pointed out that the Auditor-General issues several types of reports—such as performance, special, and institutional audits—each involving detailed categories needing thorough understanding. He suggested holding routine meetings with the press to explain audit procedures and encouraged news organizations to provide training for reporters in financial and accounting matters.
“It would make sense for at least one or two reporters in a newsroom to possess solid training in finance or accounting. This would enable them to analyze the reports more precisely,” he stated.
He mentioned that precise and comprehensive media reporting might exert influence on organizations referenced in audit findings to adopt the suggested measures.
Madam Beauty Emefa Narteh, Executive Secretary at GACC, emphasized the importance of the media in fostering transparency, referring to the Auditor-General’s Report as “a tool for accountability” which can be transformed into compelling narratives to safeguard public funds.
Supplied by SyndiGate Media Inc. (
Syndigate.info
).
