President John Dramani Mahama has announced that he will meet with the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, and other key stakeholders today, Thursday, October 9, to devise a lasting solution to the recurring mismanagement of public funds reported by the Auditor-General.
Speaking at the 12th Annual Conference of Chairpersons of Governing Boards and Chief Executives of Public Services in Ho on Wednesday, October 8, President Mahama said the meeting aims to establish a fast-track accountability mechanism for public officials implicated in financial infractions.
The President expressed dismay at the persistent cases of financial recklessness exposed annually by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), describing the situation as “pathetic.”
“Why must we, every year, congregate at the Public Accounts Committee? And then you hear all kinds of atrocious things, recklessness with public funds and resources. And so I have a meeting on Thursday with the Chief Justice, the Attorney General, and others to find a final solution to this Auditor General’s report,” he said.
He noted that financial irregularities uncovered by the Auditor-General now total about GH¢15 billion, stressing that the country could have significantly improved infrastructure and social development if those funds had been saved.
“Persons who are found guilty of infractions or do not follow due procedure or lead to loss of public resources, we must have a fast track process to Nsawam. You know, fast track, before you see Nsawam, six months.
Until we do that, until there’s a deterrent, we’re going to come every year, and they say total misappropriation and infractions of a founder by the Auditor General is about 15 billion Cedis, if we save 15 billion cedis, can you imagine what it could do?”
President Mahama also indicated that the government intends to implement constitutional provisions that require Parliament to set up a committee to enforce the Auditor-General’s recommendations — a step he believes has been long neglected.
Source: Starrfm.com.gh
