By: Archie Boan
The General Auditing Commission (GAC) is expected to conduct a System Review of the Financial Management System and Processes of the House of Representatives, in line with its statutory mandate under Section 2.1.3 of the GAC Act of 2014.
This decision follows a formal communication from the GAC under the reference: “ENGAGEMENT LETTER on the System Review of the House of Representatives.” The review will cover the period January 1, 2022, to December 31, 2024, focusing on key areas such as:
• Administration, including personnel management, maintenance, and payroll
• Financial management, including accounting policies, budgeting, and reporting
• Procurement practices
• Liabilities and receivable management
• Internal control systems and internal audit
• Asset management and register system
• Banking transactions and reconciliations
• Financial reconciliation between the House of Representatives and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning
• Reconciliation between House expenditure and donor expenditure (if applicable)
According to the GAC, the system review is a limited assurance engagement intended to assess and improve the existing financial management processes of the House, setting the stage for a possible full audit in the future.
Welcoming the engagement, Speaker Richard Nagbe Koon described the move as a positive and transparent step toward institutional reform and accountability within the first branch of government.
“We must lead by example. The House welcomes the GAC’s engagement and pledges full cooperation to ensure a smooth and transparent review process,” Speaker Koon stated.
The Speaker called on all Members of the House and administrative staff to fully cooperate with the GAC team during the course of the review.
Plenary has further mandated its Committees on Public Accounts and Ways, Means, and Finance to work collaboratively with the GAC and ensure the timely submission of all required documents.
It can be recalled that the need for a proper financial review of the House’s operations had been widely discussed in past sessions, and was among the key issues raised during the debate that led to the removal of former Speaker Fonati Koffa.
The leadership of the 55th Legislature has reaffirmed its commitment to transparency, accountability, and the principles of good governance ensuring that the House of Representatives remains an example of integrity in public service.
