The Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Abena Osei-Asare, has attributed the recurring financial irregularities in Ghana’s public sector to poor compliance with existing financial management laws rather than gaps in the legal framework.
She said while Ghana has adequate public financial management laws, many public institutions continue to breach them, resulting in avoidable financial infractions that cost the state billions of cedis each year.
Speaking at the launch of the 2025 Public Financial Management Compliance League Table, Madam Osei-Asare disclosed that the Auditor-General recovered nearly GH¢12 billion in disallowed expenditure during 2024 through audit interventions and collaboration with the Public Accounts Committee.
According to her, the recovery highlights the effectiveness of oversight institutions in protecting public resources, but stressed that greater compliance by public entities would reduce the need for such corrective measures.
“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 stated.
Madam Osei-Asare announced that Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee had received the Auditor-General’s latest report and would commence public hearings later this year to scrutinise the findings and ensure that individuals and institutions responsible for financial irregularities are held accountable.
“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 said.
She commended the close collaboration between the Auditor-General and the PAC, noting that it had significantly strengthened efforts to recover public funds and promote accountability in the management of state resources.
The PAC Chairperson further urged public institutions to strictly adhere to the provisions of the Public Financial Management Act and other financial regulations, arguing that improved compliance would enhance transparency, reduce financial losses and strengthen confidence in public sector governance.
The 2025 Public Financial Management Compliance League Table was launched to assess and encourage compliance with financial management laws across public institutions while promoting transparency, accountability and sound governance in the use of public resources.
