Posted by William Osei Prempeh 10 0 comments

As part of Government’s Big Push Agenda, a training program was held for Regional Directors, Headquarters Directors, Maintenance Engineers, and Accounts Division Managers on the operations of the Public Financial Management (PFM) - Compliance Division. The focus of the program, that is, to deepen understanding of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Commitment Control, its mandate, and the requirements it places on our operations, also provided clarity on compliance procedures, reporting obligations, and the role of GHA in promoting accountability in infrastructure delivery and ensuring financial discipline.

Key Issues Discussed

• The role of the PFM-Compliance Division in promoting fiscal discipline and accountability in public infrastructure delivery.
• The importance of timely and accurate financial reporting, particularly on road maintenance and project execution.
• Strengthening internal controls to meet government’s compliance benchmarks.
• Aligning GHA’s operational processes with national goals for infrastructure financing under the Big Push.
• Promoting strict budget commitment controls
• Improving transparency in the use of public funds
• Enforcement and sanctions

Outcomes

• Directors and Engineers gained a clear appreciation of the compliance obligations of GHA under the PFM Act.
• Participants were briefed on new procedures for submitting financial data and expenditure returns.
• Regional and Headquarters Directors agreed to enhance collaboration with the Finance Division to ensure seamless compliance.
• A commitment was made to adopt continuous training and monitoring to keep staff updated on evolving PFM requirements.
• Participants accepted that they have an arduous task to utilize whatever resources are available to them and work towards ensuring financial discipline.

The 2 – day training programme was timely and strategic as it has positioned the Ghana Highway Authority to better support the Big Push initiative with greater transparency and efficiency.

This improved understanding will enable the leadership of the Authority to better appreciate the link between financial compliance and infrastructure delivery, hence, contribute effectively and responsibly to national development goals.

The 2-day program targeted officers from the Northern and Southern sectors of the country and they showed commitment in strengthening collaboration between the technical and financial units of GHA to ensure timely reporting, stronger internal controls, and alignment with national goals.

The programme, which was organised by the Director of Training and Development, Mrs. Joyce Agbeka and her team, ended on a successful note. The programme on the first day was chaired by the Ag. Dy. Chief Executive (Admin), Ing. Paul Y.A.P Duah and supported by Director of Audit, Dr. Frank Gamadey. Day two of the training programme was chaired by the Ag. Dy. Chief Executive (Dev.), Ing. Patrick Okoto and supported by Dy. Chief Executive (Mtce), Ing. Lawrence L.L. Lamptey.

Key resource persons for the training were

• Mr. Benjamin Sowah Adjetey
• Mr. Felix Dovoh

The Chair & Co- Chair for the training programme, Ing. Paul Duah and Dr. Frank Gamadey

Head Facilitator, Mr. Benjamin Sowah Adjetey

Co- Facilitator, Mr. Felix Dovoh

Ing. Patrick Okoto, Chairman for Day two of the training