The Ministry of Finance has revealed that 10,000 metric tonnes of rice, for which the government made payment in 2024, are currently unaccounted for. This situation has sparked concerns regarding the accountability in the distribution of food supplies that are meant to alleviate the effects of the dry spell.
Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem disclosed this information during a session in Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, while presenting a statement on behalf of the Finance Minister, Cassiel Ato Forson.
He stated that the government had paid for 34,000 metric tonnes of rice as part of measures to counteract the repercussions of the dry spell affecting the nation.
Nevertheless, it has been reported that the Ministry of Food and Agriculture received and distributed only 24,000 metric tonnes, leaving 10,000 metric tonnes unaccounted for, despite the fact that full payment had been completed.
“Mr. Speaker, in 2024, the Government of Ghana made a payment for 34,000MT of rice to mitigate the effects of the dry spell. However, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture has received and distributed only 24,000MT of rice. To this day, 10,000MT remains unaccounted for, even though the total amount has been fully paid for.”
Mr. Nyarko Ampem also revealed further discrepancies identified during an audit concerning the supply of maize to the government.
He elaborated that a company was contracted to deliver 100,000 metric tonnes of maize, and the Ministry of Food and Agriculture provided stores receipt advice indicating that the full quantity had been delivered.
Based on the documentation submitted, the Ministry of Finance authorized a payment of GH¢771.2 million.
However, subsequent audits indicated that only 11,900 metric tonnes of maize had actually been supplied and distributed, which raises additional concerns regarding the verification processes employed to confirm the delivery of these commodities.
The Deputy Minister stated that the receipt advice from the stores, which was utilized to support the payment request, had been accompanied by a checklist certified by the internal auditor of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture. This development has heightened demands for enhanced oversight and accountability in the management of public resources.
