As part of efforts to deal with internal threats within state institutions, Makers and Partners (MAP), an accountancy firm has organized a one-day capacity building workshop for 10 internal auditors of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
The forensic investigation training being spearheaded by MAP aims at equipping the Internal Audit function with the requisite skills to safeguard the Agency from threats such as fraud and corruption related issues.
Advisory Partner at MAP and facilitator of the workshop, Wilfred Neneh Addico noted that participants were taken through effective planning of investigations so their reports could stand during disciplinary process and also at the law court.
“So one of the key things for a good investigation is evidence gathering; one must have good evidence and it starts from how you planned and what you do to get those evidence, so today’s training will build their capacity to be good at conducting forensic investigations”, he said.
Mr Addico, who is an expert in forensic investigation, said Ghana has shown commitment to deal with fraud, however there was a need to build capacity, thus, people have to be trained to do much more effective and efficient work.
He emphasized the need for more professionals to be trained, for instance, taking certified fraud examiner course with the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) , to enable them become good forensic investigators.
Acting Director of Audit at EPA, Alhaji Musah Yakubu, on behalf of the agency, expressed gratitude to MAP for extending this opportunity to the Audit Department of EPA, adding that “we hope subsequent trainings will come up so we can improve other areas”.
He said knowledge acquired will enable the Audit Department advice management accordingly and as well help minimize the fraud risk that the Agency is likely to be exposed to.
Mrs Eugenia Anang, a Representative of MAP, also stated that the forensic investigation training programme formed part of MAP’s Corporate Social Responsibility; to empower state-owned agencies to build their internal audit department to help fight fraud related cases.
She said other beneficiary institutions include Judicial Service, Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), and National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA).