Transparency International Zambia has raised concern over unresolved audit issues in the public sector, with the Ministry of Health recording the highest number of cases.
This is contained in the TIZ Analysis of the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report on the Accounts of the Republic of Zambia, which presents findings on unresolved audit issues across Ministries, Provinces and Agencies.
According to the analysis, the Ministry of Health has 102 unresolved audit issues valued at approximately 4.2 billion kwacha.
Ministry Finance and National Planning recorded 36 issues worth 6.2 billion kwacha, while Ministry of Education had 68 issues valued at 3.7 billion kwacha.
And the Ministry of Agriculture recorded 61 unresolved issues valued at about 501.7 million kwacha. TIZ says nearly half of the issues are concentrated in Health, Education and Agriculture, with asset management emerging as the most prevalent category at 63 issues.
TIZ Acting Executive Director Raymond Mutale has called for stronger asset and payroll management systems, tighter internal controls and personal responsibility by controlling officers.
Overall, TIZ identified 467 unresolved audit issues across 23 Ministries, Provinces and Agencies, involving approximately 18.1 billion kwacha.
By Niza Vomo
