Mr. Daniel Yao Domelevo, a Former Auditor General, has called for the prosecution of individuals and institutions cited in the report of the current Auditor General, for various infractions over the misuse of public funds.
Mr. Domelevo’s comment comes on the back of the audit rot uncovered by Mr. Johnson Akuamoah, on government’s COVID-19 expenditure.
According to the report, over GHS 21 billion was mobilized for the fight against COVID-19, but only GHS 5.5 billion was used on health. However, the balance was utilized on budget line items such as government programs on Free SHS and LEAP, among others.
In addition, some of the funds were spent on unapproved expenditure or purchases that are yet to be delivered. The report by the Auditor General as a consequence, recommended that such amounts are recovered to the state.
“I have seen the report, and I am really sad because you go into the report and see how the money has been wasted, it is mind-boggling and I wonder if people are serious.”
Domelevo
The former Auditor General, who was speaking in an interview divulged that, the era where persons who defy financial laws are left off the hook could end, should state institutions such as the Auditor General and Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) join forces to activate the right prosecutorial processes.
“The part of the audit that bothers on criminality should be handed over to the Office of the Special Prosecutor and I think he should work hand-in-hand with the Auditor General and see people being dragged to court and prosecuted in addition to the recovery of the monies. It will bring deterrence into the system. One of the things I expect in this collaboration is to get the necessary evidence that the OSP will use in court.”
Domelevo
Mr. Domelevo made known that, he expects a thorough audit of funds spent on the National Cathedral project. He further chastised the government for the use of scarce public funds to support the National Cathedral project.
Statutory Audit Of National Cathedral
Meanwhile, the Board of Trustees of the National Cathedral earlier this week assured that, they will fully cooperate with the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) in the investigation into alleged corrupt practices relating to the project.
This, the Board said will restore the trust of all Ghanaians in the activities of the Cathedral.
A statement signed by the Board Chairman, Apostle Prof. Opoku Onyinah, on January 24, revealed that, the board had noticed the calls for investigations into the project and was ready to deliver full documents on the project so far.
“The Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) which is the constitutionally mandated body to investigate matters of procurement and accountability in such projects, has also made the Board a respondent in its investigations into the operations of the National Cathedral project.”
Board of Trustees
The Board further disclosed that, it has taken steps to engage Deloitte, an auditing firm to begin auditing the documents on the project.
The group also divulged that it has submitted documentation on the project to Parliament and the House may set up a commission or appoint an independent auditor to review all issues concerning the award of contract, procurement, construction works, and financial operations of the National Cathedral project so far if it so desires.
According to the statement, inadequate funding has brought the construction work on the project to a standstill. The major reasons for the inadequate funding, the statement said include; “a general misunderstanding that it is the state that is fully funding the construction of the National Cathedral, and that within the challenging economic atmosphere in the country, this is misplaced.”
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