The Ministry of Finance said it will subject the scheme to a forensic audit to guarantee accountability and prevent future misuse of public funds following allegations of irregularities under the One District One Factory (1D1F) program.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem raised concerns in Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, citing a GH10.5 million payment to a non-existent “buffer account” at a commercial bank.
“Mr. Speaker, a payment of GH¢10.5 million was recorded as having been made into an account described as a ‘buffer account’ at a commercial bank. Upon verification, the bank confirmed that it had never received such payment. The account number cited did not exist in the bank’s records and did not even conform to its account numbering format. The evidence from the audit therefore points to a completely fictitious account.”
All public employees, regardless of level, would be held accountable if they are discovered to have colluded with contractors or falsified records, he said.
“The Ministry maintains that this moment marks a ‘decisive break from the past’ and a total ‘reset’ in how Ghana manages its public finances. Under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, the government has pledged that the demand for accountability will be met with swift and visible action.”
Source: newsthemegh.com