The Public Accounts Committee has raised concerns over financial irregularities linked to the expenditure on the 2023 African Games. Members called for stronger accountability measures after auditors identified duplicated claims and unsupported transactions within the Ministry of Sports.
The Chairperson of the committee, Honourable Abena Osei-Asare, said the audit findings pointed to weaknesses in the management of public funds. She explained that ministries remain responsible for figures submitted to the Ministry of Finance for onward processing.
According to her, the Ministry of Finance worked only with figures submitted by ministries, departments and agencies. She added that attempts to shift responsibility away from the originating institutions did not resolve issues raised in the Auditor General’s report.
She further explained that liabilities already processed through the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System should not be resubmitted as outstanding arrears. She stated that such practices created duplication and contributed to the GH¢30 million discrepancy identified by auditors.
“Ministry of Finance does not conjure figures. Ministry of Finance works with the figures that the MDAs provide to them. Let’s get it straight. Ministry of Finance will every day work with the figures that the ministries, departments, and agencies submit to them.”
Honourable Abena Osei-Asare
She questioned why duplicated amounts continue to appear in submissions despite existing financial controls. She stressed that institutions managing public funds were expected to verify claims before forwarding them for audit consideration.
She also emphasised that ministries were required to challenge audit observations during the review process if discrepancies were identified. According to her, raising an objection only at a parliamentary hearing limits the credibility of explanations presented to the committee.
The committee Chairperson further stressed that accountability systems within state institutions needs strengthening to prevent recurring audit infractions. The Atiwa East MP noted that persistent discrepancies continue to undermine confidence in public financial management.
Pubic Account Committee Probe Deepens Over African Games Expenditure
The Ranking Member of the committee, Honourable Samuel Atta Mills, also pressed officials over unsupported claims linked to expenditure on the African Games. He questioned why documentation for significant financial requests remained unavailable despite the scale of the operations involved.
During the proceedings, the MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem referred to an audit finding concerning GH¢35.8 million reportedly linked to the deployment of 6,000 police officers. He noted that auditors were unable to verify the claim due to missing records, including attendance logs, duty rosters and movement orders.
He also raised concerns over another claim related to improvement works at a hostel facility used during the games. He stated that auditors again cited the absence of supporting documents for the expenditure submitted to the Ministry of Sports.
According to him, the lack of documentation weakens efforts to justify the claims before the committee. He further questioned why officials continued to dispute audit findings despite acknowledging gaps in record keeping.
The Ranking Member also highlighted administrative instability within the sports sector over the years. He argued that frequent changes in leadership has affected continuity and oversight within the ministry.
“At the Ministry of Sports, ministers were changed almost every year. If we still cannot resolve issues of duplication, then there is little justification for changing ministers so frequently.”
Honourable Samuel Atta Mills
He further challenged explanations attributing the discrepancies mainly to exchange rate fluctuations. According to him, such variations did not sufficiently explain the scale of the amounts cited in the audit report.
The Ranking Member also urged internal auditors within public institutions to strengthen oversight functions. He explained that stronger internal controls could prevent questionable claims from advancing through approval systems.
The Committee member subsequently underscored the importance of accurate record keeping within state institutions. He observed that public confidence in financial management depends on transparency, verification and strict compliance with audit procedures.
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