Heads of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) have been advised by Madam Abena Osei Asare, Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), to use the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA) law to curb financial wrongdoing in the civil service.
The purpose of the PFMA is to govern public sector financial management within a macroeconomic and fiscal framework, specify stakeholder duties, provide for public fund accounting and audit, and address associated issues.
The Chairperson stressed the significance of following financial standards to avoid violations during a recent PAC session.
Madam Osei Asare reaffirmed her dedication to adhering to established surcharge procedures and making sure that those in charge of financial malpractices were held accountable.
“This move is part of the committee’s efforts to promote transparency and accountability in public financial management,” she stated.
Speaking to the media on Monday, Madam Osei Asare, the MP for Atiwa East for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), underlined the importance of preventing violations and bolstering organizations such as the Audit Service.
In order for the Audit Service to properly examine MDAs and stop financial malpractices, she argued for increased independence and funding.
That would improve public financial management and restore public trust in the organizations in charge of national resources, she clarified.
Parliament House in Accra hosted the first hearing of the PAC of Parliament in the Ninth Parliament on Tuesday.
The Auditor-General’s report on MDAs for the year ending December 31, 2024, will be discussed during the public hearing scheduled for Tuesday, August 19–26.
The Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, the Office of the Head of Civil Service, and the National Information Technology Agency (NITA) also made appearances at the hearing on Monday.
The Committee honored the late Environment Minister, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, who died two weeks ago in a helicopter crash with seven other people, with a moment of silence before the meeting began.
He served in the Eighth Parliament as a PAC member.
The Auditor-General’s report, which emphasized important issues such as Ghana’s public debt and flaws in asset management and financial reporting, will be examined during the six-day public hearing.
Source: newsthemegh.com