ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA

Anthony Egyir Aikins; John Victor Mensah; Musah Dankwah; Harriet Muriel Dzifa Potakey

doi:10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941

ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA

Abstract

Purpose – Adequate internal control systems are prerequisites for efficient and effective operations of local governments but their mere presence does not guarantee efficiency and effectiveness. In Ghana, internal audit reports recount irregularities in operations resulting in the delivery of poor services and amenities to the communities. This study sought to assess the internal control systems in local governments to ascertain their effectiveness or otherwise. The institutional theory informed the study. Methodology - The qualitative research approach was employed for the study. The purposive sampling technique was used to select 24 officers from six selected local governments in the Central Region of Ghana. In each local government, a Coordinating Director, an Audit Committee member, an Internal Auditor, and a Finance Officer were interviwed. Primary data were collected by the use of interview guide while secondary data were collected by document review guide. The secondary data were derived from literature on internal controls. The data was subjected to thematic analysis and interpretation. Findings - The study revealed that management bodies of local governments have put in place the desired standard internal controls but there were irregularities in their operations, thereby leading to ineffective internal controls. Conclusion - The internal controls of the selected local governments were similar to the standard controls. However, the implementation of internal controls did not result in propriety and soundness due to irregularities. It was recommended that relevant authorities should ensure adherence to internal controls in local governments.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Behavioural Finance, Finance, Finance and Investment (Other), Business Administration

Journal Section

Research Article

Authors

Anthony Egyir Aikins ^*
0000-0002-3595-0095
Ghana

John Victor Mensah This is me
0000-0001-9132-2299
Ghana

Musah Dankwah
0000-0002-1242-6194
Ghana

Harriet Muriel Dzifa Potakey
0000-0002-9513-2780
Ghana

Publication Date

December 31, 2024

Submission Date

August 2, 2024

Acceptance Date

November 27, 2024

Published in Issue

Year 2024 Volume: 13 Number: 2

DOI

https://doi.org/10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941

IZ

https://izlik.org/JA25RE99DH

Cite

RIS / Bibtex

APA

Aikins, A. E., Mensah, J. V., Dankwah, M., & Potakey, H. M. D. (2024). ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA. Journal of Business Economics and Finance, 13(2), 68-79. https://doi.org/10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941

AMA

1.Aikins AE, Mensah JV, Dankwah M, Potakey HMD. ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA. JBEF. 2024;13(2):68-79. doi:10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941

Chicago

Aikins, Anthony Egyir, John Victor Mensah, Musah Dankwah, and Harriet Muriel Dzifa Potakey. 2024. “ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA”. Journal of Business Economics and Finance 13 (2): 68-79. https://doi.org/10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941.

EndNote

Aikins AE, Mensah JV, Dankwah M, Potakey HMD (December 1, 2024) ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA. Journal of Business Economics and Finance 13 2 68–79.

IEEE

[1]A. E. Aikins, J. V. Mensah, M. Dankwah, and H. M. D. Potakey, “ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA”, JBEF, vol. 13, no. 2, pp. 68–79, Dec. 2024, doi: 10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941.

ISNAD

Aikins, Anthony Egyir - Mensah, John Victor - Dankwah, Musah - Potakey, Harriet Muriel Dzifa. “ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA”. Journal of Business Economics and Finance 13/2 (December 1, 2024): 68-79. https://doi.org/10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941.

JAMA

1.Aikins AE, Mensah JV, Dankwah M, Potakey HMD. ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA. JBEF. 2024;13:68–79.

MLA

Aikins, Anthony Egyir, et al. “ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA”. Journal of Business Economics and Finance, vol. 13, no. 2, Dec. 2024, pp. 68-79, doi:10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941.

Vancouver

1.Anthony Egyir Aikins, John Victor Mensah, Musah Dankwah, Harriet Muriel Dzifa Potakey. ASSESSING THE INTERNAL CONTROLS IN LOCAL GOVERNMENTS IN GHANA. JBEF. 2024 Dec. 1;13(2):68-79. doi:10.17261/Pressacademia.2024.1941