The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) heard testimony from the Ministries of Finance, Roads and Highways, and Transportation on Wednesday, October 29, 2025, together with representatives from relevant agencies, on audit violations.
Hon. Kwame Agbodza, the Minister of Roads and Highways, assured the Committee that work is proceeding to finish the Kumasi by-pass in 18 months, adding that all outstanding bills to consultants and contractors have been paid, enabling construction to start up again.
Additionally, he said that third-party service providers who allow vehicle overloading will face harsh consequences, emphasising that the issue was exacerbated by inaccurate axle load station data.
“Our contractors are doing well, and huge sums are being spent to build our roads. We will not sit by for greedy individuals to destroy them,” he lamented.
Since funds have now been released, railway personnel who have been unpaid for a whole year will shortly receive their pay cheques, according to Hon. Joseph Bukari Nikpe, Minister of Transportation.
However, he acknowledged that railway operations are still not operational.
Alongside important organisations including the Venture Capital Trust Fund, State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA), Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF), Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD), and the Internal Audit Agency, Deputy Minister Hon. Ampem Nyarko represented the Finance Ministry.
Only 51 officers presently oversee over 369 federal agencies, a position he described as seriously inadequate. Mr. Thompson-Aryee, the Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, made an appeal to Parliament for additional staff.
The efforts of Dr. James Kofi Kutsoati and his team from COCOBOD to recover unpaid salary for two employees of the Cocoa Health and Extension Division in Kumasi were praised by PAC members.
Hon. Abena Osei-Asare, the Committee’s chair, declared that the next meeting will take place on Thursday, October 30, 2025.
Source: newsthemegh.com