The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed that officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) responsible for unauthorised expenditures exceeding GH₵180 million in 2023 be referred to the Attorney-General for prosecution.
The directive follows findings in the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report, which revealed that ECG overspent on at least 13 budget lines without prior approval from its governing board.
During Tuesday’s PAC sitting on October 28, Ranking Member Samuel Atta-Mills criticised ECG’s management, describing their actions as a blatant breach of financial discipline and a violation of corporate governance rules.
According to the report, ECG had approved budgets of GH₵2.8 million for staff fuel, GH₵4.2 million for communication, GH₵40 million for consultancy, and GH₵3.1 million for stakeholder engagement. However, the company ended up spending GH₵3.6 million, GH₵7.9 million, GH₵58.6 million, and GH₵49 million, respectively, all without board authorisation.
Expressing disbelief, Mr. Atta-Mills remarked, “Staff fuel, did they drive around the world? The budget was GH₵2.8 million, and you spent GH₵3.6 million. Communication expenses, you budgeted GH₵4.2 million but spent GH₵7.9 million. Consultancy, GH₵40 million was approved, but you used GH₵58.6 million. Stakeholders’ expenses, from GH₵3.1 million to GH₵49 million, and you still want to increase tariffs?”
He called for immediate sanctions, insisting that those responsible for the excessive spending face legal action to serve as a deterrent.
PAC Chair Abena Osei Asare also urged ECG to strengthen its internal control mechanisms and ensure that all future expenditures are properly sanctioned by the board before execution.
Source: Adomonline
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