A sitting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which had begun hearings on a special audit report, was disrupted when Majority members were called to the chamber to form a quorum, forcing proceedings to halt.
Speaking to JoyNews after the interruption, PAC Chair Abena Osei Asare described the issues uncovered so far as deeply concerning and in urgent need of national attention.
“It is shocking to all of us because this is a report submitted by the majority, and it concerns national matters. We are trying to restore public confidence,” she said.
The committee had only just begun engaging key institutions, starting with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, when troubling figures emerged.
“We had begun with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, and some very alarming issues already came up—overstated debts to suppliers totaling GH¢1.396 billion, and claims and commitments rejected to the tune of GH¢4.4 billion,” she revealed.
According to Ms. Osei Asare, the findings point to a long-standing structural problem rather than an isolated incident, echoing discrepancies highlighted in a 2016 audit.
“This clearly shows that the issue is systemic, and we all need to come together to address the root causes of these structural problems,” she said, adding that the committee is focused on finding lasting solutions.
The session was cut short when Majority members were summoned to the parliamentary chamber, leaving the committee without a quorum to continue.
“They said they were needed in the chamber to conduct government business, but this is one of the most important government matters,” Ms. Osei Asare explained.
She stressed that the audit findings directly affect ordinary Ghanaians.
“This goes to the heart of our citizens, because every duplicated or misplaced cedi impacts schools, livelihoods, or hospitals that should serve communities,” she said.
Expressing disappointment over the disruption, the PAC Chair urged her colleagues to reconsider their decision.
“I hope my brothers and sisters on the other side will reflect on this choice,” she added, noting that the committee would resume sittings the following day.
The investigation follows Parliament’s referral of a special audit report detailing GH¢68.7 billion in arrears and payables to the PAC after suspected irregularities, including falsified records and questionable payment claims, were uncovered.
The report was presented to Parliament on March 10 by the Ministry of Finance through Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, on behalf of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson.
Ms. Osei Asare said the committee has three weeks to complete its work and submit recommendations, including updates to the Supreme Court. Preparatory work, including briefings from auditors, had already begun before hearings started.
“Today marks the first day of our sitting, and we hope to continue until next Tuesday, when we plan to conclude,” she said.