The government has stepped up efforts to tackle financial mismanagement in Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) after the Auditor-General rejected arrears claims worth GH¢10.4 billion and flagged millions of cedis in irregular expenditures.
Speaking at the opening of a two-day capacity-building programme for Heads of Internal Audit, Finance and Procurement Units of MMDAs in Tamale on Monday, Northern Regional Minister Ali Adolf John said recurring audit infractions continue to undermine public confidence in state institutions and hinder development efforts.
Citing findings from the Auditor-General’s 2024 Report, Mr. John disclosed that irregularities involving the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) alone amounted to GH¢18.8 million.
He further revealed that arrears claims totaling GH¢10.4 billion were rejected due to unsupported documentation, duplicate payment certificates, inflated invoices and falsified store receipts.
“Every cedi lost through poor financial management represents a missed opportunity to provide critical infrastructure and essential social services such as schools, hospitals, roads, water systems and sanitation facilities,” he said.
The workshop, organised by the Ministry of Finance, brought together officials from Regional Coordinating Councils, the Internal Audit Agency, the Public Procurement Authority and MMDAs from the Northern, Savannah and Oti Regions.
Mr. John described the programme as timely, noting that public demand for transparency and accountability in the management of state resources continues to grow.
He expressed concern over persistent audit breaches, including weak internal controls, procurement violations, poor record-keeping, unauthorised expenditures and non-compliance with financial regulations.
The Regional Minister urged public officials to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, integrity and ethical conduct in the management of public funds.
Delivering a speech on behalf of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Technical Advisor to the Ministry of Finance, Abubakari Ibrahim, said government is determined to reduce and eventually eliminate recurring audit infractions across public institutions.
Mr. Ibrahim said engagements held by the Ministry in December 2025 to review implementation of the Auditor-General’s 2024 Report concluded that public institutions must move beyond merely responding to audit findings and adopt measures to prevent infractions before they occur.
According to the Minister’s speech, Chief Directors and Chief Executives, as principal spending officers, must take full responsibility for addressing audit findings and ensuring strict compliance with financial management regulations.
“He emphasized that 2025 should mark a decisive turning point in the effort to systematically reduce and ultimately eliminate recurring audit infractions across public institutions.”
Mr. Ibrahim stressed the importance of timely submission of Internal Audit Reports, adherence to reporting deadlines and prompt responses to audit queries.
He also reminded Directors of Finance and Audit that under the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), final accounts must be submitted within two months after the end of the financial year.
The Finance Ministry said the training programme is intended to strengthen internal controls, improve compliance and equip MMDA officials with practical tools to address audit challenges and safeguard public resources.
Opening the workshop, Mr. John urged participants to translate lessons from the training into concrete actions that will improve accountability, strengthen compliance and deliver better value for money in public service delivery.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
