In a laudable move towards fiscal responsibility, the Auditor-General of Ghana, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, has remitted an impressive GH¢9.5 million into the Consolidated Fund.
This sum amount of money retrieved from disallowed expenditures outlined in various audit reports, according to the Auditor-General reinforces the commitment to safeguarding the public purse.
Mr Asiedu further disclosed that the Auditor-General’s Recoveries Account, established in June 2022 at the Bank of Ghana, played a pivotal role in this financial feat.
He noted that as of December 2023, this specialized account, dedicated to tracking real-time progress in recovering disallowed earnings, amassed over GH¢19.7 million.
This strategic approach, according to Mr. Asiedu, provides a transparent mechanism for enforcing rules on surcharging and disallowances, ensuring more effective results.
“One of the significant focuses of the Recoveries Account has been unearned salaries and allowances. Historically, the Auditor-General’s recommendations for recoveries were channeled into the Controller and Accountant-General’s Suspense Account (CAGSA). However, this conventional approach lacked the immediacy required for tracking and reporting on recoveries, leading to the establishment of the dedicated Recoveries Account”.
Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu
Again, Mr. Asiedu emphasized the critical role played by this specialized account in recovering funds, specifically highlighting the retrieval of over GH¢2.2 billion between 2017 and 2020.
He posited that this underscores the impact of robust financial oversight in curbing infractions and ensuring accountability in the country.
Auditor-General Submits 22 Audit Reports To Parliament In 2023
Moreover, Mr Asiedu revealed that the Auditor-General’s Office, in its unwavering commitment to transparency, submitted 22 audit reports to Parliament in 2023, adhering to constitutional requirements.
According to him, the measures implemented within the Audit Service have yielded positive outcomes, allowing for the timely submission of audited reports for three consecutive years with almost eighteen reports in 2021, 15 in 2022, and 22 in 2023.
“Each year, the Auditor-General’s reports to Parliament were often replete with issues of infractions in the use of public funds. Article 187(7)(b) of the 1992 Constitution provided that in the performance of its functions, the Auditor-General might disallow any item of expenditure which was contrary to law and surcharge the amount of any expenditure disallowed upon the person responsible for incurring or authorising the expenditure.
“Disallowance of expenditure normally leads to the Auditor-General recommending recovery from individuals, public officers and institutions who committed infractions”.
Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu
In addition, Mr. Asiedu expressed gratitude to the government and the Minister of Finance for the timely release of funds, enabling the Audit Service to fulfill its constitutional mandate effectively.
According to Mr Asiedu, the collaborative effort between the government and the Audit Service highlights the importance of sustained support for the Auditor-General’s critical role in maintaining good governance, transparency, and probity in Ghana’s public financial management system.
It is worthy to note that the remittance of GH¢9.5 million into the Consolidated Fund not only serves as a financial correction but also underscores the resilience of the Auditor-General’s office in holding public officials accountable.
The Recoveries Account established by the Audit Service particularly stands as a testament to the commitment to root out financial malpractices and uphold ethical standards in the management of public funds.
As Ghana continues its journey towards economic growth and development, the vigilant work of the Auditor-General remains integral to ensuring that every cedi expended aligns with the principles of legality and accountability.
The Auditor-General’s diligence contributes significantly to fostering an effective and efficient public financial management system, instilling public confidence and promoting the responsible use of public resources.
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