Accounting Policy

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Clear accounting is, of course, important in any part of the world – but it perhaps becomes more important in poor areas where the temptation to misuse money may be higher.

Essentially the same systems are used in Ghana and the UK. Three signatures are required to withdraw funds from Savannah’s bank account in Ghana. Each month a financial report is provided (signed by our programme manager, Charles Karbo, and the accounts assistant). This details all expenditure and provides invoices/receipts in each instance. Where in this largely illiterate society no written record is available an ‘honour certificate’ is produced, signed by two people.

In this way we can provide full details of exactly how much projects have cost – and the breakdown of costs for the project at Bagri are illustrated below.

At the end of the year, our accounts are produced, scrutinised by an independent examiner (a chartered accountant) and then lodged with the Charity Commission.

‘School infrastructure’ includes the main school building, a nursery and teachers’ accommodation.

‘Feeding’ refers to the school meal that is provided for the children every school day and includes the extra food provided for families following the failure of the harvest in 2007.

‘Support costs’ refer entirely to costs in Ghana, mainly allowances for workers and transport costs.