The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has referred twelve public institutions, including two of Ghana’s major hospitals, to the Attorney General’s Department for prosecution over their failure to recover public funds cited in the Auditor-General’s report.
The committee described the move as a necessary step following what it called the deliberate refusal of the institutions to comply with its directive to retrieve the funds within thirty days.
According to JoyNews’ parliamentary correspondent, the decision was taken during the committee’s sitting on Monday, November 3, after members reviewed reports of non-compliance.
The Ranking Member on the PAC and MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem, Samuel Atta-Mills, said the decision was crucial to enforcing accountability.
“All those who have not complied will be referred for prosecution. It’s that simple,” he said. “Those with 60 and 90 days might also face the same fate if they fail to act. Maybe they will enjoy appearing before the court,” he added.
The move marks a significant step by Parliament to tighten financial discipline in the public sector by turning audit infractions into criminal cases for prosecution.
The decision followed a report presented by Michael Addo, Assistant Auditor-General at the Ghana Audit Service, who told the committee that several institutions had failed to recover funds lost through unretired imprests, unearned salaries, and other irregular transactions, despite prior instructions to do so.
Their inaction, according to the committee, violates provisions of the Public Financial Management Act, leading to their referral to the Attorney General’s Department.
Among the institutions affected are the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and the Ridge Hospital. The total amount involved across all twelve entities is said to run into tens of millions of Ghana cedis, representing a significant loss to the state.
Operating under Article 187(5) of the 1992 Constitution, the PAC is mandated to examine the Auditor-General’s reports on public accounts. By referring the institutions to the Attorney General, the committee is enforcing its authority to ensure public officials who mismanage state funds are held legally accountable.
The Attorney General’s office is expected to review the evidence submitted by the PAC and the Audit Service and proceed with formal charges against those found culpable.
This latest move is aimed at strengthening public accountability, recovering lost funds, and deterring financial misconduct within government institutions.
Source: Adomonline
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