PAC to Summon Officials Over GH₵8.2m ‘Toilet for All’ Project Scandal

Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) is set to summon two public officials over the payment of GH₵8.2 million in mobilisation funds for a sanitation project that was never executed. The development raises fresh concerns about public financial management and accountability within government institutions, particularly in relation to abandoned or unfulfilled contracts.

The officials, Bright Oduro Kwarteng and Theophilus Okine, are linked to payments made under the “Toilet for All” project, which was initiated in 2019 by the former Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources. The project was intended to improve sanitation infrastructure across key urban areas, including the construction of household toilet facilities to address public health challenges.

The Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, told the Committee that attempts to verify the transactions have been delayed due to missing documentation. He indicated that the absence of key records has made it difficult to fully trace the approvals and processes that led to the release of the funds.

According to him, officials involved in the transaction indicated that the relevant documents had been sent to the National Archives. This explanation has, however, raised further concerns among Committee members, given the relatively recent timeline of the transactions.

“The truth of the matter is that this transaction took place at the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources… under the leadership of Cecilia Dapaah… around 2019,” he said. The Minister’s remarks place the origin of the payments within a clearly defined administrative period, highlighting the need for accountability from officials who were directly involved at the time.

He said that although several years have passed, the key officers involved are still in public service and can account for the transactions. This, he noted, provides an opportunity for the Committee to obtain firsthand explanations and documentation from those responsible.

“The officers who handled this transaction are still at post in other ministries. The director for procurement… Theophilus Okine is still at the Ministry of Defence. And Bright Oduro Kwarteng is now Director of Finance at the Ministry of Trade and Agribusiness,” he explained. The continued presence of these officials in public service is expected to facilitate the investigation process.

The Minister expressed concern over claims that the documents had been archived despite the relatively recent nature of the transaction.

“The thing is not up to 10 years, and you are saying they have been sent to archives,” he said. His remarks underscore broader issues related to record-keeping and document management within public institutions.

He further disclosed that although mobilisation funds were paid to contractors for various projects, including the construction of household toilets in Kumasi and Tamale, no work was carried out. This revelation has intensified scrutiny over how public funds are disbursed and monitored.

“They were given mobilisation, and they didn’t go to the site… the contractors and their names with the amounts are here, and we will make them available to the Committee,” he added. The availability of contractor details is expected to support further investigations and possible recovery actions.

He assured the Committee of full cooperation, stating that his team is ready to provide all necessary information.

“You call them, and my directors are ever ready to give whatever information you want,” he said.

Following the briefing, Ranking Member of the Committee, Samuel Atta-Mills, directed that the officials involved be invited to appear before the Committee. The hearings are expected to shed more light on the circumstances surrounding the payments and the failure of the project.

“We will invite the minister and the current people there. And wherever the documents are, they will have to come with them,” he stated. This directive signals the Committee’s intention to conduct a thorough and transparent inquiry.

He questioned the decision to release funds without ensuring that work was done.

“You pay somebody mobilisation to go and work. The person doesn’t do it, but takes the money. Then you come back, you want to upgrade this contract and repackage it and give it to somebody,” he said. His comments reflect concerns about procurement practices and contract enforcement.

Mr Atta-Mills also criticised the apparent lack of proper documentation within the ministry.

“What I don’t understand is the Ministry of Local Government… you were making payments for contracts that you don’t have. You don’t have the documents,” he added. The criticism highlights systemic challenges in financial oversight and administrative processes.

He indicated that the Committee will investigate the matter publicly once all parties appear.

“When all of you come, we will do it live,” he said. The planned public hearing is expected to increase transparency and allow citizens to follow proceedings as accountability measures unfold.