Ghana’s Ministry of Finance has announced a sweeping crackdown on financial irregularities uncovered in a recent audit, declaring a decisive end to what officials described as the long standing misuse of public funds.
In a statement presented to Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, the government signaled a firm commitment to restoring discipline in public financial management after an audit revealed billions of cedis in questionable claims and irregular payments.
Delivering the statement on behalf of the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, the Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, warned that the government would no longer tolerate the misuse of public resources.
Addressing lawmakers, he stated that the administration had resolved to confront what he described as systemic abuse within the country’s financial management system.
In his remarks, Mr. Ampem declared that the government was determined to put an end to the long standing practices that have undermined fiscal discipline.
“The rot ends here,” he said, stressing that the government would no longer allow the public purse to be exploited.
According to the Deputy Finance Minister, the audit revealed that GH¢8.1 billion in claims had been rejected due to multiple irregularities uncovered during the review of arrears and payables as of the end of 2024.
“A total of GH¢8.1 billion was rejected for various reasons, including unsupported documentation, duplication, overstatements, already paid items, falsified store receipts advice and no work done,” Mr. Ampem stated.
The rejected claims formed part of a much larger sum submitted for verification. Out of GH¢68.7 billion presented for audit, the authorities validated GH¢45.4 billion as legitimate payments.
The findings exposed what the Ministry described as deeply rooted malpractice within the public financial management system.
According to the Deputy Minister, the audit identified several methods used to siphon public funds.
These included fictitious claims, where goods and services were billed despite never being delivered. Another tactic involved recycled invoices, where previously settled bills were resubmitted to secure duplicate payments.
Investigators also uncovered cases involving forged Stores Receipt Advice, which were used to create documentation for supplies that were never delivered.
In addition, the report pointed to collusion between public officials and contractors, enabling fraudulent transactions that resulted in significant financial losses to the state.
Government introduces ‘Triple lock’ accountability measures
In response to the findings, the Finance Ministry announced a strict new framework aimed at tightening financial controls across government institutions.
The Deputy Minister revealed that a new policy, described as a “Triple Lock of Accountability,” would govern all future government payments and commitments.
Under the new measures, the government has set three mandatory conditions for public spending.
“GOING FORWARD, NO PAYMENT WILL BE MADE WITHOUT FULL VERIFICATION, NO COMMITMENT WILL BE ENTERED INTO WITHOUT BUDGETARY ALLOCATION, AND NO OFFICER, REGARDLESS OF RANK, WILL BE SHIELDED FROM ACCOUNTABILITY,” Mr. Ampem declared.
He emphasized that the new rules were designed to prevent a repeat of the irregularities uncovered in the audit and restore confidence in the country’s financial governance system.
Cases referred for possible prosecution
As part of the government’s response, the Finance Minister has referred the findings of the Auditor General to the Attorney General and Minister for Justice for further action.
The referral is expected to trigger investigations and potential criminal prosecutions against individuals found to have engaged in fraudulent activities.
Addressing Parliament, the Deputy Minister underscored the administration’s determination to hold those responsible accountable.
“The Mahama administration refuses to accept this rotten system; in fact, we refuse to normalise waste. And we refuse to ask the Ghanaian people to pay for fraud,” he said.
Warning to public officials
The Ministry also issued a strong warning to public servants across government institutions, indicating that no official would be shielded from scrutiny or legal consequences.
Officials stated that rank or position would not protect anyone found to have participated in fraudulent schemes involving public funds.
The government described the current intervention as a turning point in Ghana’s fiscal governance, signalling what it called a decisive break from past practices.
Authorities say the measures form part of a broader effort by the administration of President John Dramani Mahama to strengthen accountability and ensure responsible management of public resources.
With investigations expected to follow the audit revelations, the Finance Ministry says it will work closely with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those implicated face the full consequences of the law.