About Us

Our Background

The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD), was established in 1885, during the pre-independence era of the Gold Coast. The Department was originally referred to as the ‘Treasury’ upon its establishment until 1937 when it was re-christened Accountant-General’s Department.

This name was maintained until 1967 when it obtained its current name, the ‘Controller and Accountant-General’s Department,’ clearly defining its roles to include the responsibility of exercising efficient and effective financial controls in the budget execution process.

Established under the Civil Service Act 1960 (CA. 5), the CAGD represents the Accounting Class of the Civil Service. It is, therefore, a Civil Service Department under the Ministry of Finance. The 1992 Constitution and the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), provide the legal framework that governs the operations of the CAGD. As the Chief Accounting Officer of Government and Advisor to the Minister and Government in matters relating to accounting, the Controller and Accountant-General (CAG) is responsible to the Minister for the custody, safety and integrity of public funds.