Auditor-General has recovered nearly GH¢12bn in disallowed expenditure in 2024 – PAC Chair

The Chairperson of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Abena Osei-Asare, has revealed that the Auditor-General recovered nearly GH¢12 billion in disallowed expenditure during 2024 as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen financial accountability and safeguard public funds.

She said the significant recovery demonstrates the growing impact of collaboration between the Auditor-General's Department and Parliament's Public Accounts Committee in ensuring that public officials are held accountable for the use of state resources.

Mrs. Osei-Asare disclosed that the Public Accounts Committee has received the Auditor-General's latest report and is preparing to hold public sittings later this year to scrutinise the findings.

According to her, the hearings will provide an opportunity for public institutions to account for financial irregularities identified in the report while keeping citizens informed about measures being taken to recover funds owed to the state.

We hope to sit on this later this year for the citizens to know the kind of work the Auditor-General has been doing in collaboration with the PAC to recover all the funds owed to the state."

She noted that the committee remains committed to promoting transparency by conducting its proceedings openly and ensuring that public officers answer questions regarding the management of public finances.

The PAC Chair praised the close working relationship between Parliament's oversight committee and the Auditor-General, describing it as an important pillar in Ghana's public financial management system.

She said the recovery of nearly GH¢12 billion in disallowed expenditure highlights the importance of effective auditing, parliamentary oversight and strict enforcement of financial regulations.

According to Mrs. Osei-Asare, holding public officials accountable for financial infractions not only protects state resources but also strengthens public confidence in governance institutions.

Despite the progress made in recovering public funds, the PAC Chair expressed concern over the persistent financial irregularities recorded across several public institutions.

She observed that many of the infractions continue to recur even though Ghana already has comprehensive public financial management laws and regulations.

Many of the irregularities are preventable. It is not the case that the laws are not adequate; they are very adequate, but compliance is weak."

She stressed that stronger adherence to existing financial management rules would significantly reduce avoidable losses and improve accountability within the public sector.

Mrs. Osei-Asare urged ministries, departments, agencies and other public institutions to strengthen compliance with the country's Public Financial Management framework.

She emphasised that responsible stewardship of public resources is essential for national development and the efficient delivery of public services.

According to her, improved compliance with financial regulations would minimise waste, reduce audit infractions and ensure that taxpayers' money is used for its intended purposes.

The PAC Chair made the remarks during the launch of the 2025 Public Financial Management Compliance League Table, an initiative designed to encourage transparency, improve compliance and strengthen financial governance across public institutions.

The league table is expected to assess the performance of government institutions in complying with public financial management requirements while promoting greater accountability in the management of state resources.

Officials believe the initiative will encourage healthy competition among public institutions, improve compliance with financial regulations and reinforce efforts to build a more transparent and accountable public sector.

The latest recovery figures underscore the critical role played by the Auditor-General and Parliament's Public Accounts Committee in protecting Ghana's public finances and ensuring that financial irregularities are identified, corrected and, where necessary, recovered for the benefit of the state.