The Greater Accra Regional Minister, Nii Armah Ashietey has emphasized the importance internal auditors and agencies have played so far in the financial and operational efficiency of the public sector.According to the Minister, internal auditing has in many ways made very good recommendations to improve governance processes, control systems and by their pre-examination of payment vouchers and other activities prevented some financial malpractices.Addressing a workshop on the Amendment of the Internal Audit Agency Act 2003 (Act 658) Mr. Ashietey noted that should the amendment see the light of day, it would enhance and enrich the existing act, and also ensure that internal auditors have unbiased attitude to work.He stated that if internal auditors are effective and efficient in the performance of their work, resources could be saved for infrastructural development.He stressed the need for the Internal Audit Agency to be better placed to deal with issues of recruitment, transfers and general supervision of the Internal Auditors serving with the Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDA’s).Nii Armah Ashietey also used the occasion to urge some of the auditors to refrain from acting as security agents and stick to the principle of measuring policy and procedure compliance by entities.“You are not responsible for the execution of an entity’s activity but rather advice management and other similar oversight bodies regarding how to better execute their responsibilities”.The Board Chairman of the Internal Audit Agency, Nii Adumansa-Baidoo on his part noted that certain grey areas in the law do not make it possible for the agency to effectively deliver on its mandate in line with international best practice.According to Nii Adumansa-Baidoo, one of the key amendments being proposed by the Internal Audit Board is the consolidation of internal audit resources of the Ministries, Departments and Agencies and Metropolitan, Municipal and District assemblies under the agency, with the agency as the head of the class.This he believes, will go a long way to ensure the independence, objectivity and protection of internal auditors.Story by Afia Amankwaah-Tamakloe/Asempa News/Ghana