President John Dramani Mahama has pledged to take action against individuals involved in financial misconduct highlighted in the Auditor-General’s reports, cautioning that those deemed guilty will be required to repay misappropriated funds or face imprisonment.
During a diaspora town hall meeting in the United Kingdom on Sunday, May 31, President Mahama voiced his concerns regarding the ongoing financial losses documented in successive Auditor-General’s reports, labeling them as a significant drain on the nation’s resources.
He pointed out that the recurring issues indicate persistent deficiencies in public financial management and accountability.
“Each year, the Auditor General’s report reveals that Ghana loses 12 billion cedis due to misappropriations and similar issues. The chief justice has kindly established audit courts,” he stated.
The President remarked that the creation of specialized audit courts marks a crucial advancement in ensuring that audit violations result in tangible repercussions beyond mere parliamentary oversight.
He clarified that individuals mentioned in audit reports will not only be summoned before the Public Accounts Committee but will also face legal proceedings aimed at recovering lost funds and holding wrongdoers accountable.
President Mahama emphasized that the Attorney-General and the Auditor-General will collaborate to prosecute cases stemming from audit findings and seek the recovery of public funds.
“The Attorney General and the Auditor General are set to address all individuals who have misappropriated funds, and we will present them before those special courts to either return our money or proceed to NSAWAM for some time to reflect,” he remarked.
His comments come in light of renewed public focus on financial accountability following recent sessions of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, where numerous instances of irregular spending and financial mismanagement were examined.
Included in the directives was an order for officials of the Ho Municipal Assembly to reimburse GH¢138,000 within a period of 60 days due to infractions related to audits.
