Online Reporter
Conrad Mupesa
Mashonaland West Bureau
SENIOR Government officials this past week gathered in Kadoma for a high-level corporate governance forum aimed at strengthening accountability, transparency and service delivery across public institutions.
Permanent Secretaries, Chief Directors, Directors and Auditors from various ministries, as well as Commissioners from independent Commissions, participated in the two-day forum, which was facilitated by the Institute of Internal Auditors of Zimbabwe (IIAZ).
IIAZ board member Mr Tafireyi Nyamazana said the forum aimed to improve governance systems by bringing together internal audit practitioners and senior management to share experiences and best practices.
He said the forum also offered a platform for institutions to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses while encouraging collaboration to address governance issues.
Mr Nyamazana stressed that effective governance depends on accountability and well-established institutional frameworks.
“At the core of every institution is the responsibility to serve citizens. Public entities must constantly assess whether their operations are delivering meaningful results to the people they were established to serve,” he said.
He also noted that reinforcing governance structures will aid in achieving national development goals, including Vision 2030 and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
Among the participants were the Chief Director in the Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr Jonathan Gandari, and the Director of Media Services, Mr George Chisoko.
Dr Gandari said the forum prompted stakeholders to reconsider the role of information in national development.
He highlighted the need to ensure that information dissemination reaches all sectors of society and contributes to improving livelihoods.
“We must ensure that the information we generate as the Government reaches every citizen and drives development. Information should not only inform but also mobilise communities into action,” he said.
Dr Gandari also stressed the importance of timely audits and the submission of financial statements to enable Government to effectively monitor the performance of public institutions.
Corporate Governance Unit Permanent Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Mr Allan Choruma underlined the significance of audits in promoting transparency and accountability.
He said failure to conduct regular audits undermines governance frameworks and weakens oversight of public resource utilisation.
“There is a strong link between good governance and economic development. Strengthening audit systems ensures transparency and accountability in the utilisation of public funds,” he said.
Mr Choruma urged public entities to comply with the Public Finance Management Act, particularly Section 49, which mandates the submission of audited financial statements by 31 May.
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