The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has recovered nearly GH¢12.7 billion in misused public funds, Chairperson Abena Osei Asare has revealed, highlighting the committee’s pivotal role in strengthening accountability and safeguarding the national purse.
Speaking to journalists after Tuesday’s PAC sitting, where the Committee reviewed select Auditor-General reports, Ms. Osei Asare stressed that the PAC wields powers equivalent to those of a High Court, rendering its directives and orders legally binding on all appearing entities.
“We know that this committee has the powers of a high court. That means our directives and orders are binding,” she affirmed.
The Chairperson explained that PAC’s responsibilities extend far beyond simply identifying irregularities in the Auditor-General’s reports; it actively enforces accountability and ensures the retrieval of misapplied or misappropriated public resources.
“Working together with the Audit Service and the Auditor-General, we have been able to retrieve close to GH¢12.7 billion. This is not just about citing infractions; it is about ensuring accountability,” Ms. Osei Asare stated.
She indicated that Parliament would soon receive a formal briefing on these recoveries upon resumption, with arrangements in progress to dedicate a special public engagement day for PAC and the Auditor-General to demonstrate the tangible outcomes of their oversight efforts.
Ms. Osei Asare emphasised that citizens have every right to full transparency on the use of their taxes and public funds, regardless of whether audit findings reveal wrongdoing.
“Even if there is no infraction, the people of Ghana deserve to know what we use their hard-earned taxes for,” she noted.
According to her, the committee’s open hearings provide a direct channel for the public to understand government spending patterns, budget execution, and the overall financial health of ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs).
The PAC Chair expressed optimism that sustained public scrutiny, successful recoveries, and the enforcement of appropriate sanctions would progressively curb repeated financial mismanagement in the public sector.
“When people are called to account, and the requisite sanctions are applied, it serves as a deterrent. With time, infractions will drastically reduce,” she said.
Ms. Osei Asare disclosed that the committee is nearing completion of its review of the 2020 Auditor-General reports, with only two remaining, including one concerning the Ministry of Agriculture that requires the Minister and technical team to appear.
She assured that all outstanding reports for the period would be cleared soon, including planned sittings outside Accra to expedite proceedings.
Commending the media for its coverage, the Chairperson acknowledged journalists’ essential contribution in disseminating PAC’s activities nationwide.
“Whatever we do in there has repercussions because the media takes it to Ghanaians. You play a critical role in protecting the public purse,” she told reporters.