The Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, Abena Osei-Asare, says proper documentation and record-keeping systems are crucial steps in managing public finance effectively. Her remarks highlight persistent administrative gaps that continue to affect accountability and transparency within public institutions.
She cited the system as a solution to over 70 per cent of infractions identified in recent audit reports, indicating that many financial irregularities stem not from complex fraud schemes but from basic lapses in documentation and data management. According to her, strengthening record-keeping practices could significantly reduce these recurring issues.
“A major challenge in managing public finances is documentation and record-keeping. The system is there, but it’s not being fed with the right data by those responsible,” Madam Osei-Asare said on Thursday at the end of a four-day PAC public hearing in Parliament House. She stressed that although systems and frameworks already exist, their effectiveness depends largely on accurate and timely data entry by public officials.
She emphasised that improving documentation could resolve a significant portion of cited infractions, urging institutions to prioritise compliance with financial reporting standards and ensure that all transactions are properly recorded and supported by relevant documentation.
The PAC from Monday, March 30, to Thursday, April 2, 2026, considered the special Audit Report of the Auditor-General on government outstanding claims and commodities as of December 31, 2024. The hearings formed part of Parliament’s oversight responsibility to ensure public funds are properly accounted for and used in accordance with the law.
Several key government institutions appeared before the Committee to be scrutinised, including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ministry for Local Government, Decentralisation and Religious Affairs, Legal Affairs, Ministry for Roads and Highways, and the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology. These institutions were questioned on discrepancies, outstanding claims, and how public resources have been managed under their respective mandates.
The hearings provided an opportunity for the Committee to examine financial records, demand explanations for irregularities, and recommend corrective actions where necessary. It also reinforced the importance of accountability mechanisms in strengthening governance.
It is expected that the Committee’s report will be ready before Parliament resumes, with recommendations likely to focus on improving compliance, enforcing sanctions where needed, and strengthening internal controls across government agencies.
