The Controller and Accountant-General, Kwasi Agyei, has urged public institutions responsible for managing state funds to address persistent audit infractions with greater openness, urgency, and commitment to reform.
He noted that these infractions go beyond routine administrative errors, describing them instead as indicators of weak accountability systems that undermine public trust in how national resources are managed.
Mr. Agyei made the remarks at the annual conference of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) held in Koforidua in the Eastern Region. He pointed out that successive Auditor-General’s reports continue to expose recurring breaches of financial regulations, weak internal controls, and non-compliance across ministries, departments, agencies (MDAs), and metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs). These lapses, he said, often result in avoidable financial losses to the state.
Strengthening financial discipline
As custodians of the public purse, Mr. Agyei stressed the need for stricter adherence to the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), alongside the enforcement of sanctions where necessary. He also highlighted the role of systems such as the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) in improving transparency, traceability, and real-time oversight of public spending.
He urged public sector accountants to move beyond repeatedly flagged audit issues and focus instead on sustained corrective action. According to him, public funds must be managed with integrity, discipline, and full accountability, noting that the Auditor-General’s report remains a key reflection of institutional performance.
The two-day conference, themed “Leveraging technology, transparency, and accountability for sustainable fiscal governance,” provided a platform for stakeholders to assess progress made in public financial management, confront ongoing challenges, and shape future reforms.
Mr. Agyei emphasised that reducing audit infractions is a collective responsibility. “If individuals and institutions consistently do the right thing, we will build a disciplined, transparent, and credible public sector,” he said.
Digital reforms and payroll integrity
Looking ahead, the Controller and Accountant-General disclosed that the department is deepening collaboration with the National Identification Authority (NIA) to strengthen payroll integrity through biometric verification.
Under the initiative, public sector workers will be required to undergo periodic live biometric checks using facial or fingerprint recognition as part of the Identity Verification Platform (IVP). He explained that the reform is designed to ensure continuous alignment between payroll records and verified identities, not just at the point of entry but throughout an employee’s service.
In addition, Mr. Agyei said efforts are ongoing to migrate all public universities onto the centralised government payroll system. Building on earlier progress, the next phase will focus on onboarding remaining institutions.
He described the initiative as more than a technical upgrade, but a broader reform aimed at improving payroll integrity, eliminating irregularities, and strengthening transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
The CAGD, he added, will continue to work closely with university authorities and stakeholders to ensure a smooth transition, protect staff welfare, and establish a unified and credible payroll system for the tertiary education sector.
Appreciation and capacity building
Mr. Agyei expressed gratitude to Vice-President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang for attending the conference, noting that her presence reflects government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and accountability.
He also acknowledged the support of the Ministry of Finance, Bank of Ghana, GhIPSS, commercial banks, and development partners in advancing payment digitisation initiatives. Staff of the department were commended for their professionalism and dedication.
On capacity-building, he announced continued investment in staff training and professional development, including the attachment of selected accountants to reputable accounting firms for hands-on experience.
“This will strengthen technical competence, improve audit readiness, and enhance the overall quality of financial reporting,” he said.