The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Ghanaian Parliament has resumed its zonal public hearings to examine the 2020 Auditor General’s Report on the Public Accounts of Ghana’s Technical Universities and Pre-University Educational Institutions.
The hearings will cover the period ending December 31, 2020, and will extend over five days. Additionally, the committee will review reports on the Auditor General’s findings regarding the management and utilization of the District Assemblies’ Common Fund and other Statutory Funds for the same period. The regions under review during this phase of the hearings are Greater Accra, Eastern, Oti, and Volta.
The Auditor General’s report has highlighted several infractions observed in some institutions. These include the failure to recover salary advances, payments made for avoidable judgment debts, delays in project completion or abandonment, and unaccounted-for student fees. Furthermore, the report has revealed instances where management failed to process transactions through the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS).
To address these issues, the report recommends that management takes immediate action to ensure that the Controller and Accountant fix all relevant platforms. This step will enable the processing of transactions through the GIFMIS system as required by regulations.
The PAC’s zonal hearings play a crucial role in scrutinizing the Auditor General’s reports and holding public institutions accountable for their financial management and performance. By conducting these hearings, the committee aims to promote transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the use of public funds.
The PAC will engage with representatives from the relevant institutions during the hearings, giving them an opportunity to provide explanations and respond to the findings outlined in the Auditor General’s report. The committee will closely examine the issues raised and make recommendations to address the identified infractions.
This exercise is part of the ongoing efforts by the Parliament of Ghana to ensure sound financial management practices within public institutions and to safeguard public funds. The PAC remains committed to its oversight role and will continue to hold hearings in various regions across the country to thoroughly assess the Auditor General’s reports and contribute to the improvement of governance and financial accountability in Ghana.
SOURCE:Â Coverghana.com.gh
