The Auditor-General’s report on arrears and payables ending December 31, 2024, which the government presented to Parliament, exposed extensive financial irregularities totalling billions of Ghana cedi.
The Ghana Audit Service, along with EY and PwC, examined GH¢68.7 billion in claims that had been filed with the Ministry of Finance.
Of this total, GH¢45.4 billion was approved for payment, while GH¢8.1 billion was denied because of instances of “no work done,” duplication, recycled invoices, faked receipts, and unsubstantiated evidence.
On behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister of Finance, delivered the report to Parliament on Tuesday.
”A further GH¢13.3 billion remains under review pending justification,” he added.
One of the most concerning discoveries, according to Mr. Ampem, was a false debt of GH¢89.4 million under the One District, One Factory (1D1F) project, for which five commercial banks denied any liability despite payment claims.
Inflated transportation expenses under the Farmer Food Relief and Recovery Program, missing amounts of rice and maize under the dry period relief program, and unjustified arrears of GH¢160 million claimed for teacher trainees were also discovered by the audit.
“Mr. Speaker, this audit has exposed a rotten system designed to fleece the people of Ghana,” Hon. Ampem declared, citing recycled claims worth GH¢4.4 billion and duplicated entries across multiple ministries.”
“He emphasised that the Ministry of Finance would no longer serve as a “rubber stamp for weak controls and falsified claims.”
The Attorney-General has been formally referred to the report in order to prosecute the people and organisations involved in fraudulent activities.
“Going forward, the Finance Ministry pledged that no payment will be made without full verification, and no commitment entered into without budgetary allocation.“
“This moment marks a decisive break from the past,” Mr Ampem emphasised.
He added: “The Ghanaian people demand accountability, and under the Government of President John Dramani Mahama, that demand will be met with action.”
The report was submitted to the Public Accounts Committee, which will report to the plenary in three weeks, by Mr. Benard Ahiafor, the First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, who was presiding over a parliamentary session.
Source: newsthemegh.com