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Public Accounts Committee recommends the prosecution of those found liable in the Auditor General’s report
he Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), James Klutse Avedzi, says they are bent on recommending to the Attorney General for the prosecution of individuals and institutions indicted by the Auditor General’s report.
According to him, this has become necessary because their previous advice to culprits to go back and rectify the wrongs fell on deaf ears, especially in procurement breaches.
He was speaking at the committee’s sitting on the Auditor General’s report for 2018 in Sunyani in the Bono Region.
Some heads and accountants of pre-tertiary and tertiary educational institutions in the Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Ashanti regions, are appearing and answering queries on irregularities in the report.
On day one of the committee’s sitting on Monday, Wenchi SHS, Menji Agric SHS, Koase SHS, Sunyani SHS, Berekum Presec, Chiraa SHS, Nkoranman SHS, Nsawkaw SHS, Mansen SHS, Nchiraa SHS, Kumasi, and Sunyani technical universities were in attendance after being indicted on cash management, procurement, payroll, contract, and tax-related breaches.
While some were discharged after the auditors confirmed their recommendations have been adhered to, others needed to provide better evidence.
The committee chairman directed the Attorney General to prosecute Wenchi SHS for breaching the Public Procurement Act in a non-competitive procurement of goods and services.
The school, according to the report, issued payment vouchers amounting to 25, 546.25 which breached section 92 of the procurement Act.
The former headmaster of Menji Agric SHS, Paul Nsiede, was also directed by the committee chairman to provide documents covering an expenditure of over 15,000 to the current headmaster within a week, else he will be made to refund the money to the government chest.
This and many other situations, according to the PAC chairman, James Klutse Avedzi, reoccur despite previous advice to correct the wrongs.
“We will begin to apply the law and recommend the sanctions prescribed by the law. The committee will not prosecute them but we will recommend to the Attorney General to prosecute them”, he said, adding those found liable can go to jail for five years or a 30,000 charge, or both for procurement issues.
“When the AG begins to prosecute them, and some are being jailed, it will serve as a deterrent for others to follow”, he insisted.
He further noted that for breaches of uncompetitive procurement, they will not waste time adding them to a growing list of people and institutions as it happened in the northern region, “and by the time we finish the whole country, we will have a very tall list of candidates for prosecution”.
Mr. Avedzi, who is also the MP for Ketu North, advised the institutions to work and ensure that they follow the recommendations of the report.
“The thirty days window given to them after the exit conference should be utilized to ensure that their names and infractions are not reported in the auditor’s report at all. But once they are reported, we will call them whenever we are meeting”.
Mr. Avedzi said the committee is also expected to sit on the 2019 Auditor general’s report in 2022.
The six days committee sitting is also considering the report of the Auditor General on the accounts of District Assemblies and the management and utilization of the District Assemblies Common Fund for 2018.
Source: MyJoyOnline.com
The Heartfelt Philanthropy Network and fellows of Elevate Africa Fellowship have visited the Street Academy in Accra to support its efforts to improve the welfare and development of children.
The visit formed part of efforts by the organisations to give back to the community and promote opportunities for children through education, healthcare and other social support programmes.
Ms Yvonne Abba-Opoku, Founder and Director of the Heartfelt Philanthropy Network, said the organisation had supported the Street Academy since 2019 because of its commitment to serving vulnerable children. Read More.
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Alberta Afia Asomaniwa Akoto, popularly known as “Landlady,” has declared her intention to contest as the Parliamentary Candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in the Okaikwei North Constituency.
In a statement shared on Friday, Ms. Akoto said Okaikwei North has been her home for more than 40 years, where she has lived among the people, shared in their joys and challenges, and built lasting connections with the community.
“I am in the race because I believe our community deserves dedicated service, a listening ear and a strong voice. I am ready to work with you, listen to your concerns and help build a brighter future for Okaikwei North,” she said.
“Dear Okaikwei North, your girl is here one of your own, ready to serve,” she added.
Ms. Akoto said service is not just a responsibility but a commitment to the people and the community they call home.
Having dedicated herself to serving and supporting the people of the constituency, she said she wishes to continue the journey of service with renewed commitment, greater dedication and a stronger vision.
Her vision, she noted, is to build on the progress made, listen to the concerns of the people, empower the youth, support women, create opportunities and champion development that benefits every community in the constituency.
“I believe that together, we can build a stronger, more prosperous and inclusive Okaikwei North,” she added.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
