Proceedings of the World Conference on Business, Management, and Economics
Year: 2023
DOI:
[PDF]
The Role of Budgetary Control in Enhancing Value for Money in the Work of Supreme Audit Institutions in district and municipal assemblies in Ghana
Sewornu Kobla Afadzinu, Evan Mark Andoh
ABSTRACT:
Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs) play a critical role in ensuring transparency and accountability in public spending. In Ghana, SAIs have been implementing a range of measures to enhance their effectiveness in promoting good governance and accountability. This paper examines the role of budgetary control in enhancing value for money (VFM) in the work of SAIs in Ghana. Drawing on a case study of selected district and municipal assemblies in the Western Region of Ghana, the paper analyses the extent to which budgetary control mechanisms are used to ensure efficient and effective use of resources in the audit process. Deploying qualitative research techniques and analysis, the paper also explores how budgetary control helps to ensure that SAIs are able to identify and address financial irregularities and inefficiencies in public spending, and to promote good governance and accountability as well as examines the challenges associated with using budgetary control in the work of SAIs, such as political interference, inadequate resources and capacity, and lack of transparency and accountability. The paper concludes with recommendations for improving the use of budgetary control in the work of SAIs in Ghana, including the need for greater transparency and accountability, increased resources and capacity, and the development of audit methodologies that incorporate VFM considerations.
keywords: Accountability, Cost effectiveness, Fiscal management, Public Sector Audit, Transparency