Ghana Auditor-General: Questioned Over COVID Fumigation Audit Omission

• Akwatia MP Bernard Bediako Baidoo questioned the Auditor-General on JoyNews’ Newsfile on September 20, 2026, regarding the omission of COVID-19 fumigation expenditure from a special audit report.
• The MP demanded clarity on whether the significant spending was audited and why its findings were not included in the report submitted to Parliament.
• Concerns were also raised about the necessity of spending "hundreds of millions of cedis," including a figure of "780 million," on fumigation, especially in unoccupied areas.
• The MP's inquiry follows earlier findings by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni concerning COVID-19 expenditure.
• This situation underscores growing demands for transparency and accountability in Ghana's public financial management of pandemic-related funds.

The Auditor-General faces intense scrutiny over the omission of significant COVID-19 fumigation expenditure from a special audit report, raising serious questions about public financial management in Ghana.

The Member of Parliament for Akwatia, Bernard Bediako Baidoo, has publicly challenged the Auditor-General regarding the absence of substantial COVID-19 fumigation expenditures from a special audit report. Speaking on JoyNews’ Newsfile on Saturday, September 20, 2026, the Akwatia MP questioned the thoroughness and completeness of the Auditor-General special audit report Ghana, specifically highlighting the omission of these significant costs.

This parliamentary concern follows earlier findings by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni, which brought the COVID-19 fumigation expenditure into public discourse. The Bernard Bediako Baidoo audit discrepancy points to a potential gap in the official financial oversight of pandemic-related spending, prompting calls for immediate clarification from the Auditor-General.

Mr. Baidoo emphasized that the Auditor-General has "a lot of questions to answer" concerning the missing expenditure. He pressed for an explanation as to whether the omitted costs were, in fact, audited and, if so, why the relevant findings were not incorporated into the report presented to Parliament. The MP underscored the gravity of the situation, stating that if the omission was an error, the Auditor-General should acknowledge it and explain how such a significant oversight occurred.

The core of the Akwatia MP's inquiry revolves around the integrity of the audit process and the accountability of public institutions. He insists that clarity is paramount, demanding answers on whether the expenditure was audited, the reasons for its potential omission, and the broader necessity of the spending itself.

Beyond the audit's completeness, the Akwatia MP also voiced strong reservations about the sheer scale and rationale behind the COVID-19 fumigation spending. He expressed bewilderment at the allocation of "hundreds of millions of cedis" for fumigation efforts, citing a specific figure of "780 million" that he found questionable given the circumstances of the pandemic.

Mr. Baidoo further suggested that the total expenditure on fumigation could be considerably higher if costs incurred by other public institutions, including the health sector, were factored in. He also questioned the logic of spending on fumigation in locations where people were not present, particularly during periods when public directives mandated citizens to stay home, arguing that such spending "doesn't make sense."

This development signals heightened scrutiny on Ghana public funds accountability COVID-19 related expenditures. The Akwatia MP questions Auditor-General Ghana's role in ensuring transparent and comprehensive financial reporting, particularly concerning emergency spending during a national crisis. The Manasseh Azure Awuni COVID expenditure findings, now amplified by parliamentary concerns, underscore the critical need for robust oversight mechanisms.

The Auditor-General faces intense scrutiny over the omission of significant COVID-19 fumigation expenditure from a special audit report, raising serious questions about public financial management in Ghana. This incident highlights the ongoing demand for transparency and accountability in the management of public resources, especially those allocated for critical national responses.

This development signals heightened scrutiny on public financial management and accountability for COVID-19 related expenditures in Ghana. Lawyers advising clients involved in public sector contracts or compliance officers overseeing government-funded projects should anticipate potential investigations or legal challenges concerning transparency and proper auditing of funds, and ensure robust internal controls.

Source: Original reporting via Emma Ankrah