The Directorate of Internal Audit (DIA), University of Cape Coast (UCC) has held a three-day internal workshop themed, "Driving Excellence in the Internal Audit Profession".

The workshop was aimed at strengthening the capacity of audit staff by equipping them with the essential skills and tools to enhance their work. The workshop also served as an opportunity for internal reflection, assessment, and correction of gaps within the Directorate.

The Director of DIA, Mr. Emmanuel Paul Owusu, spoke on the topic, "The Role of International Standards and Best Practices".

He stressed the importance of aligning audit practices with global standards to improve performance and credibility. He emphasized that auditors must uphold the values of adequacy, effectiveness, and efficiency in their daily responsibilities.

“It is not enough to be the best in the country if we are not at the same level in terms of best practices,” he noted, urging staff to raise their professional standards in line with international expectations.

Mr. Owusu highlighted the significance of standardization, describing it as a fundamental part of daily organizational operations.

“Standardization is part of our everyday life and is used in every organization or institution and as such should be taken seriously,” he stated.

He encouraged staff to become familiar with key international frameworks such as the Financial Reporting Standards (FRS), International Standards on Auditing (ISA) and Government Internal Audit Standards (GIAS) guidelines.

He acknowledged some of the key challenges faced in implementing these standards within the Directorate, including cultural differences, resistance to change, and the cost of implementation. Despite these hurdles, he maintained that standardization holds numerous benefits.

“By adopting these standards, organizations build credibility, gain stakeholder trust, and achieve sustainable growth in a competitive global market,” he added.

The Heads of various sections within the DIA presented reports highlighting their activities, challenges, and achievements over the review period. The sectional heads who presented included Mr. Christopher Alatarige, Mr. Ernest Enyan, Mr. Sampson Asare, Mr. Daniel A. Egyir and Mr. Daniel Quainoo.

Source: Documentation and Information Section-UCC