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OGP Caucus pay working visit to Internal Audit Agency
The Parliamentary Open Government Partnership (OGP) Caucus has paid a working visit to the Internal Audit Agency (IAA) as part of its engagements with the implementing agencies under the OGP initiative.
This visit was to gather insights on the progress made, challenges encountered and collaborative ways to ensure the implementation and achievement of the national OGP commitments outlined in the National OGP Action Plan.
The Acting Director-General of IAA, Mr. Thomas Thompson-Aryee, highlighted efforts to promote transparency and accountability through digitisation of submissions, sensitisation of Internal Auditors, and initiatives aimed at strengthening internal audit practices.
The Chairman of the Parliamentary OGP Caucus and Member of Parliament for Ho West, Emmanuel Kwasi Bedzrah, commended Management for its efforts in making the Agency transparent to the public.
Additionally, he assured the Agency of the Caucus’s full support and commitment to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Finance, to address funding gaps currently faced by the Internal Audit Agency to fully implement its commitments under the OGP initiative.
President John Dramani Mahama has visited the Akosombo Dam to assess the impact of a fire incident at a substation operated by the Ghana Grid Company.
The fire is reported to have caused the loss of more than 1,000 megawatts from the national power grid, affecting electricity supply in parts of the country.
During the visit, he inspected ongoing restoration works and received briefings from engineers on efforts to restore power. He commended them for what he described as a swift and professional response to the situation.
According to him, the government remains committed to restoring stable electricity supply as quickly as possible.
He added that steps are also being taken to strengthen the resilience of Ghana’s energy infrastructure to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Ghana Grid Company has not yet provided a detailed timeline for full restoration, but work is ongoing to bring affected systems back on stream.
By: Jacob Aggrey
Ghana’s Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson, says he and his deputy have publicly filed their annual tax returns to demonstrate leadership and encourage compliance among citizens.
In a facebook post, he explained that the move was meant to show that public officials must lead by example when it comes to fulfilling civic duties.
“Leadership must be demonstrated, not declared,” he said.
He commended Ghanaian taxpayers for their continued contribution to national development, noting that tax compliance plays a key role in sustaining government activities.
According to him, paying taxes is both a legal and moral responsibility. He stressed that all citizens, including public officials, professionals, and businesses, are equal before the law and must meet their tax obligations.
He added that tax revenue is essential for funding key sectors such as education, healthcare, infrastructure, and security.
The minister praised the Ghana Revenue Authority for its work, especially during the ongoing Tax and Good Governance Month in April. He said the initiative helps to educate the public and promote voluntary compliance.
He urged the authority to intensify public education and continue reforms aimed at simplifying tax processes, reducing compliance costs, and improving transparency.
He further encouraged individuals and businesses that are yet to file their returns to do so promptly, adding that support systems and digital platforms are available to assist them.
He said building a strong tax culture would strengthen the country’s economy, improve accountability, and promote fairness in society.
By: Jacob Aggrey
