Consultant tips employers on fraud, corruption detection
Fraud and corruption can be eradicated if employers implement a system of detecting shady dealings within workplaces, Fraud and Risk Management Consultant, AMA Associates, said on Friday in Lilongwe.
AMA Associates is the organisation behind the first National Anti-Fraud and Corruption Conference held in Lilongwe from 26 -27 September, 2013 aimed at brainstorming how best the country could fight fraud and corruption.
In his presentation, executive director for AMA Associates, Elwin Sichiola, challenged employers to devise a reporting channel which will easily be used by employees at any level to report fraud and corruption at the workplace.
“The biggest resource that you have in fighting corruption, are the employees,” Sichiola told the conference which comprised business gurus, company CEOs, senior government officials and NGO managers.
He went on: “Employees at all levels have to be sensitised on their role in detecting fraud and have to be advised on how to use the reporting channels which can either be through anonymous calls or letters.”
Sichiola said with a system in place, employees would easily detect fraudulent and corrupt acts at early stages by noting indicators such as change in life style of particular individuals or any other indicators and that the employees would use the reporting channel immediately.
He also appealed to managers to act swiftly on reports of fraud and corruption saying shielding culprits will only succeed in fuelling the evil acts, which would eventually collapse the country’s economy.
“If you don’t eliminate fraudsters from your organisation, they will eliminate your organisation,” cautioned Sichiola.
Other speakers at the conference included former Reserve Bank Governor and former Finance Minister, Proffessor Matthews Chikaonda; Malawi Human Rights Commission chairperson, Sophie Kalinde; Anti-Corruption Bureau director Justice Rizine Mzikamanda; and assistant director of Central Internal Audit Office, Austin Kumwenda, among others.
In their respective presentations, the speakers underlined the need for collective efforts in fighting corruption and fraud in the country.
The conference to be held annually will assess gains and losses in the fight against fraud and corruption and strategise on the way forward, according to the AMA Associates ED.
