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Frederick Lokko, Assistant Director of Audit and Information Officer at the Ghana Audit Service, told journalists in Accra that many newsrooms lack the expertise to interpret audit reports, leading to headlines that suggest corruption when the issue may be a procedural breach. He explained that “cash irregularities” do not always mean misappropriation; they simply indicate a departure from legal requirements.
Lokko said journalists were briefed on the three types of reports the Auditor‑General submits to Parliament—performance audits, financial compliance audits, and information‑systems audits—and stressed the need to understand both the findings and the Auditor‑General’s recommendations. He reminded reporters that the Auditor‑General has no prosecutorial powers and that disallowance or surcharge certificates are advisory, not enforcement tools.
He warned against sensational headlines that cite aggregate figures such as “$25 billion in cash irregularities,” noting that such totals can create the impression that public funds have been stolen. Some irregularities stem from transactions processed outside the GIFMIS system and do not imply theft.
Lokko highlighted performance audits, which assess whether public funds are used economically, efficiently, and effectively, often focusing on outcomes such as a contractor’s failure to build a classroom properly. He encouraged reporters to emphasize these practical consequences in their stories.
He also mentioned the CitizensEye App, which allows citizens to report national concerns directly to the Audit Service, influencing the agency’s focus areas.
In closing, Lokko urged journalists to adopt a more nuanced approach when covering audit findings to give readers a clearer, more accurate picture.
