The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has referred 12 entities, including two of Ghana’s foremost medical institutions, to the Attorney General for immediate prosecution.
The referral stems from the entities’ deliberate disobedience of a firm committee order requiring them to fully recover specified amounts of money cited as losses in the Auditor-General’s report within a 30-day ultimatum.
JoyNews correspondent James Avedzi, who observed the committee’s sitting on Monday, November 3, reported that the committee was firm on its decision.
Ranking Member on the committee and MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem, Samuel Atta-Mills, stated, “I would recommend those people who haven’t responded or done it within 30 days; I’ll recommend all of them to the Attorney General for prosecution. It’s just that simple.”
He added, “All these people, we are recommending them for prosecution, and it’s just that simple. We’ll wait on those who have 60 days and 90 days. Maybe they would like to enjoy sitting in court. I would recommend all of them for prosecution.”
The move signals a significant escalation in Parliament’s efforts to enforce accountability in the public sector, transforming audit infractions from mere queries into criminal proceedings against culpable officials.
The PAC’s decision was prompted by a damning update delivered by Mr. Michael Addo, Assistant Auditor General at the Ghana Audit Service.
Mr. Addo reported to the committee that a month after the respective heads of these institutions appeared before the PAC and were instructed to retrieve funds lost through financial infractions—such as unretired imprest, unearned salaries, and questionable payments—they had failed to retrieve the full amounts.
This failure to comply with the PAC’s clear, post-hearing directive—a key mechanism for enforcing the Public Financial Management Act—triggered the constitutional provision for referral to the Attorney General’s Department for criminal prosecution.
Among the 12 entities referred for prosecution are two of the country’s most prominent public health facilities:
The full list of the 12 entities—spanning various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs)—has been formally submitted to the Attorney General’s office.
The quantum of funds involved across all 12 entities is expected to be in the tens of millions of Ghana Cedis, representing substantial financial loss to the State.
The Public Accounts Committee, mandated by Article 187(5) of the 1992 Constitution, examines the report of the Auditor-General on the public accounts of Ghana. By referring the case to the Attorney General, the PAC is invoking its ultimate power to ensure that public officials who cause financial loss or fail to comply with directives for recovery face legal sanctions.
The prosecution of management and officials of institutions like Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Ridge Hospital is intended to:
- Deter Future Infractions: Send a stern warning across all MDAs that financial irregularities will lead to criminal charges.
- Enforce Recovery: Ensure the recovery of misused public funds, which are critical for funding essential services like healthcare and education.
The Attorney General’s Department is now expected to review the evidence compiled by the PAC and the Audit Service and initiate formal criminal charges against the responsible individuals.