The Ministry of Finance has vowed to clamp down on what it describes as the long-standing “systemic plunder of the public purse” after a troubling audit revealed widespread financial irregularities in government arrears and payables as of the end of 2024.
Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, the Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, speaking on behalf of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, painted a stark picture of deep-seated problems within the country’s public financial management system.
According to him, the Ministry of Finance (Ghana) uncovered irregular claims amounting to GH¢8.1 billion, flagged in the Ghana Audit Service report on arrears and payables.
“A total of GH¢8.1 billion was rejected for various reasons, including unsupported documentation, duplication, overstatements, already-paid items, falsified stores receipt advice and claims for work that was never done,” Mr Ampem told the House.
The amount formed part of GH¢68.7 billion submitted for audit, out of which GH¢45.4 billion was eventually validated for payment.
Widespread irregularities uncovered
The audit findings exposed what officials described as a troubling culture of illegality in the handling of public funds. The Deputy Minister outlined several methods allegedly used to siphon money from the state.
These included fictitious claims, where payments were requested for goods or services that were never delivered; recycled invoices, involving the resubmission of previously settled bills to obtain double payments; and forged receipts, particularly falsified Stores Receipt Advice (SRA) documents used to justify nonexistent supplies.
Mr Ampem also pointed to collusion between public officials and contractors, which he said allowed some individuals to manipulate procurement and payment systems for personal gain.
Government introduces stricter spending controls
In response to the revelations, the Finance Ministry announced what it calls a “Triple-Lock” accountability framework aimed at tightening control over government spending.
Under the new policy, all public payments must undergo full verification, no financial commitment will be made without a confirmed budgetary allocation, and no public official will be shielded from accountability, regardless of rank.
The Deputy Minister said the measures signal a major shift in fiscal discipline, adding that the Ministry would no longer act as a “rubber stamp” for weak internal controls.
Audit findings referred for possible prosecution
To ensure those responsible face the law, the Finance Minister has formally forwarded the audit report to the Dominic Ayine, Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister for Justice.
The referral seeks to pave the way for criminal investigations and possible prosecution of individuals implicated in the irregularities.
Addressing Parliament, Mr Ampem stressed that the current administration would not allow financial misconduct to become normal practice.
“The government will not accept a rotten system, nor will it ask Ghanaians to bear the cost of fraud,” he said.
Warning to public officials
The Ministry concluded its statement with a strong warning to public servants, noting that status or position would no longer offer protection against accountability.
Officials found to have falsified records, colluded with contractors, or approved unlawful payments will face disciplinary action and possible prosecution.
The government says the measures mark a decisive turning point in how public funds are managed, with President John Dramani Mahama pledging stronger oversight and swift action to protect the country’s finances.