UEW Inaugurates New Audit Committee to Strengthen Governance and Accountability
The University of Education, Winneba (UEW) has officially inaugurated a new Audit Committee on Thursday, 7th May, 2026, in a ceremony that underscored the institution’s commitment to strengthening transparency, accountability and institutional governance.
The event, attended by the Vice-Chancellor and members of University Management, marked a significant step in reinforcing oversight systems within the University.
Prof. Stephen Jobson Mitchual, the Vice-Chancellor, described the inauguration as a renewed institutional commitment to ethical stewardship and sound resource management. He noted that effective governance requires structured checks and balances to support leadership in complex organisations.
He emphasised that the Audit Committee is not intended to function as an adversary to Management but rather as a strategic partner in risk identification and system improvement. Drawing on a historical analogy, he highlighted the persistent challenges of human institutions and the necessity of formal oversight mechanisms to sustain discipline and order in governance systems.
Following the administration of the Oath of Office and Oath of Secrecy by a representative of the Internal Audit Agency (IAA), members of the Committee were formally sworn in. The Committee includes Rev. Prof. George Tackie (Institute of Chartered Accountants, Ghana), Mr. Nashiru Quatada Mohammed (IAA), Ms. Pamela Osei Agyekum (IAA) and Prof. Ramos Asafo-Adjei (UEW Governing Council). Mr. Reginald S. K. Agbo, Deputy Registrar, serves as Secretary.Â
After deliberations, the Committee elected Rev. Prof. George Tackie as its Chairman. He expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in him and pledged to prioritise the strengthening of internal control systems and governance arrangements. He noted the importance of continuity and collaboration, acknowledging the contributions of previous committees while stressing the need to address outstanding audit issues with urgency and collective commitment.
The outgoing Chair, Prof. K. B. Omane Antwi, urged the new Committee to avoid becoming merely a fault-finding body and instead to adopt a solutions-oriented approach that supports Management in addressing systemic weaknesses.
A representative of the Internal Audit Agency, Mr. Samuel Gyekye Mensah, provided a strong regulatory briefing, drawing attention to provisions of the Public Financial Management (PFM) Act including strict penalties for breaches of confidentiality under Section 98. The Agency also highlighted persistent gaps in the implementation of audit recommendations across public institutions. He challenged UEW to exceed the national benchmark of 50% implementation rate.
The IAA representative further outlined the Committee's key responsibilities including ensuring implementation of audit recommendations, reviewing internal audit plans, submitting annual reports to oversight bodies by 30th June, and monitoring procurement compliance in line with national financial regulations.
Other members of Management present at the ceremony included the Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Mrs. Esther Yeboah Danso-Wiredu; Registrar, Mrs. Ekua Abedi-Boafo, Mr. Charles Coffie, Internal Auditor and representatives of the Finance Office, Mr. Charles Bedzra.
The inauguration concluded with a shared call for strengthened cooperation among all stakeholders to ensure effective oversight, improved risk management and enhanced accountability in the use of public resources.
