Ghana Auditor-General: COVID-19 Audit Concealment Alleged, Arrests Demanded

• An investigation by Manasseh Azure Awuni revealed that the Ghana Auditor-General's report on COVID-19 fumigation expenditure omitted hundreds of millions of cedis spent by government ministries.
• The Auditor-General's report stated GH¢96 million for fumigation, but the Ministry of Local Government alone spent GH¢299 million on three contracts not included in that figure.
• The Ghana Audit Service confirmed auditing the expenditure but has not explained its omission from the reported total.
• MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor called for immediate arrests if the allegations of concealed audit findings are proven, citing a potential breach of `Auditor-General Act Section 16 Ghana`.
• Former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo stated that the discrepancy requires explanation, suggesting either information was withheld or the audit was flawed.

He unequivocally stated that if the allegations are confirmed, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor COVID-19 arrests should commence without delay, as such conduct cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

A recent investigation by journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has brought to light significant discrepancies in the Auditor-General’s special audit of COVID-19 expenditure in Ghana, particularly concerning `Ghana COVID-19 fumigation expenditure`. The `Manasseh Azure Awuni COVID-19 investigation` challenges the official reported figure for fumigation costs, suggesting a potential `Ghana Auditor-General COVID-19 audit concealment`.

The Auditor-General's report initially recorded GH¢96 million as the total expenditure for COVID-19 fumigation. However, documents reviewed during Awuni's investigation indicate that various government ministries spent hundreds of millions of cedis more on these activities than was publicly reported. A notable example highlighted is the Ministry of Local Government, which alone spent approximately GH¢299 million on three distinct fumigation contracts. This substantial sum was conspicuously absent from the GH¢96 million figure presented in the Auditor-General's report.

The Ghana Audit Service has acknowledged that the expenditure in question was indeed audited. Despite this confirmation, the Service has not provided any explanation for its omission from the final reported figure. This lack of clarity fuels concerns about the completeness and transparency of the audit process, raising questions about the true scope of public spending during the pandemic.

In response to these revelations, Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor has issued a strong call for accountability. Dafeamekpor asserted that if the allegations of concealed findings are substantiated, immediate arrests should follow. Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, he warned that if the details uncovered by Manasseh Azure Awuni prove accurate, the nation could be facing what he termed the "greatest `Ghana public finance scandal 4th Republic` has witnessed."

Dafeamekpor emphasized the legal obligations of the Auditor-General, stating that the office is mandated to report all findings of a special audit to Parliament without exception. He argued that the concealment of any facts from Parliament constitutes a serious breach of duty. The MP contended that the evidence compiled by Awuni strongly suggests that while the audit of entities like the Ministry of Local Government was conducted, crucial material findings and recommendations were deliberately omitted from the report submitted to the legislative body.

He specifically pointed to a potential violation of `Auditor-General Act Section 16 Ghana`, which outlines the reporting requirements. Dafeamekpor indicated he was contemplating issuing a formal statement on the matter, but his immediate focus remained on the necessity for swift action. He unequivocally stated that if the allegations are confirmed, `Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor COVID-19 arrests` should commence without delay, as such conduct cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

The controversy centers on the findings of a special audit into COVID-19 expenditure, which was initially commissioned in 2022. The `Manasseh Azure Awuni COVID-19 investigation` suggests that this audit significantly understated the total `Ghana COVID-19 fumigation expenditure` across various ministries, leading to the current scrutiny over `Ghana Auditor-General COVID-19 audit concealment`.

Adding to the growing concerns, former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo has also weighed in on the matter. Domelevo stressed the critical need for an explanation regarding the identified discrepancy. He posited two primary possibilities for the omission: either information was deliberately withheld from the auditors during their work, or the audit itself was not conducted with the requisite thoroughness and diligence. His comments underscore the gravity of the situation and the potential systemic issues it reveals within public financial oversight.

This development signals heightened scrutiny and potential legal action against public officials and entities involved in Ghana's COVID-19 expenditure. Lawyers advising government agencies or contractors should review compliance with public finance laws and audit reporting standards, as non-disclosure or concealment of financial information could lead to severe penalties and criminal charges.

Source: Original reporting via Abubakar Ibrahim