Ghana PAC: Tree Crops Development Authority Urged to Utilize GH¢25m

• Ghana's Public Accounts Committee urged the Tree Crops Development Authority to effectively utilize GH¢25 million for its operations and growth.
• The Committee also directed the Tree Crops Development Authority to obtain vehicle ownership documents for its purchased vehicles.
• The Cocoa Processing Company Limited was cited for procurement breaches in the 2025 Auditor-General’s Report.
• PAC advised the Cocoa Processing Company to comply with the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) and enroll in the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS).
• A former Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region Limited was directed to vacate an official bungalow after his retirement period.

The PAC's consistent scrutiny serves as a clear indicator that any deviations from established financial regulations or procurement protocols will be identified and addressed, reinforcing the imperative for transparency and responsible governance in the management of public funds.

Ghana's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) recently concluded the fifth day of its public hearings concerning the 2025 audit reports, issuing several key directives to state-owned entities. Among these, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA) was specifically urged to ensure the productive utilization of approximately GH¢25 million currently held in its accounts. This significant sum is intended to bolster the Authority's operational capacity and foster growth within the critical cashew, coconut, oil palm, rubber, mango, and shea sectors, which the TCDA is mandated to regulate.

While commending Dr. Andy Osei Okrah, the Chief Executive Officer, and his management team for their efforts, including providing farmer training to enhance yields, the PAC also issued a specific instruction. The Committee pressed the TCDA management to maintain its diligent work and, crucially, to secure all necessary vehicle ownership documents for vehicles acquired by the institution. This directive underscores the PAC's commitment to meticulous financial oversight and asset management within public bodies.

In a related development, the Committee addressed the case of Dr. Benedict Bonaventure Aligeba, the former Managing Director of the Irrigation Company of Upper Region Limited (ICOUR). Dr. Aligeba was formally directed to vacate an official bungalow, following the expiration of his one-year post-retirement occupancy period. These actions collectively highlight the PAC's broad mandate to ensure accountability across various facets of public administration.

Beyond the directives to the Tree Crops Development Authority and ICOUR, the Public Accounts Committee also turned its attention to the Cocoa Processing Company Limited. This entity faced scrutiny due to identified procurement breaches detailed in the 2025 Auditor-General’s Report. The PAC's findings emphasize a critical need for strict adherence to established legal frameworks governing public expenditure.

The Committee explicitly advised the Cocoa Processing Company to ensure full compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), as amended. This foundational legislation dictates the procedures for procuring goods, works, and services when public funds are utilized, aiming to promote transparency, fairness, and value for money. Furthermore, the company was also advised to integrate with the Ghana Electronic Procurement System (GHANEPS), a measure designed to streamline and enhance the integrity of procurement processes across the public sector.

The recent pronouncements from the Public Accounts Committee, stemming from its review of the 2025 audit reports, signal a heightened and unwavering focus on financial accountability and regulatory compliance within Ghana's public sector. The directives issued to the Tree Crops Development Authority regarding its GH¢25 million in funds, alongside the emphasis on procurement integrity for the Cocoa Processing Company, illustrate the PAC's role in safeguarding public resources and ensuring their judicious application.

These proceedings underscore the critical importance for all public sector entities, and any private companies engaging with them, to maintain robust internal controls and a comprehensive understanding of relevant legal frameworks, particularly the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663). The PAC's consistent scrutiny serves as a clear indicator that any deviations from established financial regulations or procurement protocols will be identified and addressed, reinforcing the imperative for transparency and responsible governance in the management of public funds.

Lawyers and compliance officers advising public sector entities or companies engaging with them should note the Public Accounts Committee's ongoing scrutiny of fund utilization and strict adherence to procurement laws. This indicates a heightened focus on financial accountability and compliance with the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663), requiring robust internal controls and legal counsel to avoid audit queries and potential sanctions.

Source: Original reporting via Kareen Tei