The Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, has rejected approximately GHS 12.1 billion out of a total of approximately GHS 90 billion in government payables as of December 31, 2024.
According to the Auditor-General’s interim audit report, published on both the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Audit Service websites, more than 41 per cent of the rejected claims originated from the energy sector — an area that continues to draw scrutiny over contract management and legacy debts.
The rejected payables comprise claims, commitments, and Bank Transfer Advices (BTAs) for projects and services executed by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the country.
The Finance Ministry explained that the significant build-up of payables in 2024 contributed to a large primary deficit, far exceeding the modest surplus originally programmed for the fiscal year.
To curb arrears, strengthen fiscal discipline, and reinforce public financial management (PFM) controls, the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, commissioned an extensive audit of all outstanding government payables and commitments.
The Ministry engaged the Auditor-General, alongside two independent audit firms — PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ernst & Young (EY) — for an intensive eight-week review aimed at validating the authenticity of the claims.
Dr Ato Forson noted that “the objective is to verify the legitimacy and accuracy of these claims.”
He emphasised that “the findings will guide corrective actions to resolve irregularities and improve accountability going forward.”
Preliminary findings from the audit indicate that an additional GHS 77.8 billion in claims and commitments require further justification and documentation before being cleared for payment.
The Auditor-General’s report noted that engagements were held with MDAs, contractors, and suppliers to verify the legitimacy of each claim.
Affected entities have now been granted the opportunity to contest or justify their rejected claims by submitting the necessary supporting documentation through their respective MDAs to the Ghana Audit Service.
The verification and validation window remains open until November 7, 2025. After that date, any arrears or commitments that remain unverified or unjustified will be permanently expunged from the government’s official arrears and commitments register.
The development underscores the government’s commitment to restoring fiscal credibility, enhancing transparency, and sanitising public expenditure as Ghana consolidates its macroeconomic recovery efforts.
Source: Emmanuel Agyabeng/Starrfm.com.gh
