Ghana’s newly sworn-in Auditor-General, Dr. Pamela Graham, has pledged to safeguard the integrity of the nation’s public finances, strengthen accountability, and restore public confidence in state institutions as she officially assumed office as the country’s first female Auditor-General.
Delivering her acceptance speech at the swearing-in ceremony before President John Dramani Mahama at the Jubilee House on Thursday, Dr. Graham described her appointment as both a profound honour and a historic responsibility.
“As a teenager, I wanted to be an auditor so badly, and I did become one. But to be the Auditor-General of the Republic of Ghana was not part of the dream,” she said. “Today, I am filled with humility, gratitude, and a solemn awareness of the vast responsibility entrusted to me.”
She expressed gratitude to President Mahama for the confidence reposed in her, describing her appointment as an inspiration to young girls across the country.
“As the first woman to occupy this sacred constitutional office, I am particularly humbled by the historic nature of this appointment,” she stated.
“This appointment is not simply meant to serve as a milestone for the Ghanaian woman, but more importantly, as a source of great inspiration for every young girl across the country who dares to dream.”
Dr. Graham paid tribute to the ten Auditors-General who have served Ghana since independence in 1957, with special recognition for former Auditors-General Richard Quartey, Daniel Domelevo and Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, whom she had the opportunity to work with during her career at Ernst & Young.
She also acknowledged the contributions of officers of the Audit Service, particularly the Deputy Auditors-General, whose dedication, she said, had sustained the institution over the years.
Describing the Office of the Auditor-General as “the conscience of the nation,” Dr. Graham stressed that the institution’s work demands unwavering integrity, fairness and strict adherence to the law.
Citing an IMANI Africa policy brief titled The Integrity of the Public Ledger and the Cost of Error, she warned that inaccuracies in public financial records carry significant consequences.
“When the public ledger loses its integrity, the nation pays a price, not only in financial terms, but in trust,” she said.
Drawing on her 25 years of experience in the private sector, Dr. Graham said she intends to introduce greater professional rigour, global standards and a strong performance culture into the Audit Service.
“I see this as an opportunity to bring in a fresh perspective grounded in professional rigor, global standards, and a strong culture of performance and results,” she noted.
She pledged to work closely with staff of the Audit Service to strengthen existing systems while improving areas requiring reform.
Dr. Graham also welcomed government’s decision to establish dedicated High Courts to hear cases arising from infractions contained in the Auditor-General’s Reports, describing the move as essential for strengthening accountability.
“Accountability must be enforced in a timely and credible manner. When findings are not acted upon, the system weakens further. When they are addressed decisively, trust begins to build,” she said.
She further underscored the importance of preserving the independence of the Auditor-General’s Office, describing it as fundamental to its constitutional mandate.
“The strength of this office lies in its independence. This independence should be upheld and not abused, as it is a necessity for the work we do,” she emphasised.
Addressing staff of the Audit Service, Dr. Graham urged them to uphold the highest professional standards, saying the institution’s credibility would depend on the quality of its work and its commitment to doing what is right.
“The credibility of this institution will be shaped by our daily decisions, the rigour of our work, the standards we refuse to compromise, and the courage to insist on what is right, even when it is inconvenient,” she said.
Concluding her remarks, Dr. Graham pledged to serve the nation with diligence, fairness and integrity while working to restore confidence in Ghana’s public financial management systems.
“As I take on this role, I commit to protect the integrity of the public purse, strengthen confidence in our institutions, and contribute in a practical and measurable way to restoring trust in the systems that serve our nation,” she said. “I will serve with diligence, with fairness, and with integrity.”
Story: Patrick Asford Boadu
