The Ministry of Finance Ghana has pledged stronger controls on public spending after an audit revealed GH¢8.1 billion in irregular claims within government arrears and payables as of the end of 2024.
Delivering a statement in the Parliament of Ghana on Tuesday, March 10, the Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, said the findings of the Auditor-General of Ghana exposed significant weaknesses in public financial management.
He presented the statement on behalf of the Finance Minister, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson.
According to him, GH¢68.7 billion in claims were submitted for audit, but only GH¢45.4 billion were validated for payment.
“A total of GH¢8.1 billion was rejected for various reasons, including unsupported documentation, duplication, overstatements, already-paid items, falsified stores receipt advice and claims for work not done,” Mr Ampem said.
The audit identified several practices used to improperly claim public funds, including fictitious claims for goods or services not delivered, the resubmission of already-paid invoices to obtain double payments, and the use of forged Stores Receipt Advice documents.
Mr Ampem also cited instances of alleged collusion between public officials and contractors to facilitate the irregular payments.
To address the situation, the Finance Ministry announced a new set of strict financial control measures for government spending.
The policy requires that no payment will be made without full verification, no financial commitments will be entered into without a budget allocation, and public officials involved in irregular transactions will be held accountable regardless of their position.
The ministry said these measures are intended to prevent a recurrence of the irregularities identified in the 2024 arrears review.
Mr Ampem further disclosed that the Finance Minister has referred the findings of the audit to the Office of the Attorney-General and Ministry of Justice Ghana for possible prosecution of individuals implicated in the irregular claims.
He said the government, led by President John Dramani Mahama, is committed to strengthening accountability and improving fiscal discipline in the management of public funds.
