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Thomas Nyarko Ampem urges stronger internal controls in public institutions
•2 min read•2 sources
Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has called for the strengthening of internal controls across public institutions to prevent financial irregularities and protect the public purse. Speaking at the 25th anniversary of the Institute of Internal Auditors Ghana, Ampem highlighted the essential role internal auditors play in ensuring that national resources are directed toward development priorities rather than being lost to mismanagement. He emphasized that rigorous oversight is fundamental to maintaining public trust and fiscal stability.
The Deputy Minister revealed a significant improvement in the management of public funds, noting that financial irregularities in Ghana dropped by 62.9% over the past year. According to government figures, these irregularities fell from GH‵20.72 billion in 2024 to GH‵7.69 billion in 2025. Despite this progress, Ampem cautioned that the current figure remains unacceptably high and that further efforts are required to eliminate systemic weaknesses in financial management and administration.
To achieve further reductions in financial leakage, the Deputy Minister urged internal auditors to move beyond traditional methods and embrace modern technology. He advocated for the adoption of data analytics and advanced digital tools to improve accountability and detect irregularities in real-time. Specifically, he called for more rigorous scrutiny of procurement processes and financial transactions, which are often the primary areas where public funds are diverted or mismanaged.
Ampem emphasized that the success of the government’s New Economy agenda depends heavily on effective resource management and the rectification of weak financial controls. He concluded by reiterating that internal auditing is not just a regulatory requirement but a vital component of good governance. By safeguarding public resources, auditors directly support the state's ability to deliver critical infrastructure and social services to the Ghanaian people.