Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting, which began hearings into a special audit report referred to Parliament, was disrupted when Majority members were called out of the meeting to form a quorum in the chamber, forcing proceedings to stop.
Speaking to JoyNews after the interruption, the PAC Chair, Abena Osei Asare, said the issues uncovered so far were deeply concerning and required urgent national attention.
“It is shocking to all of us, too, because this is a report that was submitted by the majority, and it boils down to national issues, which we are all trying very well to see how best we can bring back that confidence,” she said.
She explained that the committee had only just begun engaging key institutions, starting with the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, when troubling figures emerged.
“You saw that we had begun with Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, and some very scary issues had come up already, with the overstatement of debts to suppliers to the tune of 1.396 billion, with claims and commitments that had been rejected to the tune of 4.4 billion,” she revealed.
According to her, the findings point to a long-standing problem rather than an isolated case.
She drew parallels with a similar audit conducted in 2016, noting that discrepancies in government liabilities have persisted over time.
“So clearly it tells you that the issue is structural, and we all need to come together to make sure we address the root cause of these structural problems,” she said, adding that the committee’s work is focused on finding lasting solutions.
However, the session was cut short when Majority members were called to the chamber, leaving the committee without the required composition to proceed.
Explaining the situation, she said, “They said they are needed in the chamber to form a quorum, to do government business, but this is one of the most important government businesses.”
She said that the matters under review directly affect the lives of ordinary Ghanaians.
“This goes to the heart of our citizens, because every cedi duplicated, misplaced, goes to the root of one being denied a school, one being denied some livelihood, or one being denied some form of hospital that is supposed to come to the community,” she said.
The PAC Chair expressed disappointment over the disruption and urged her colleagues to reconsider their decision.
“I hope my brothers and sisters on the other side will go and reflect on this decision that they took,” she added, noting that the committee would resume sittings the following day.
The investigation follows Parliament’s referral of a special audit report on GH¢68.7 billion in arrears and payables to the PAC after suspected irregularities, including falsified records and questionable payment claims, were uncovered.
The report was presented to Parliament on March 10 by the Ministry of Finance through Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, on behalf of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson.
Ms Osei Asare said the committee had been given three weeks to complete its work and submit recommendations, including updates to the Supreme Court.
She explained that preparatory work had already begun, with auditors briefing the committee before hearings started.
“And so today is the first day of our sitting, and we are hoping to sit till next week, Tuesday, where we conclude,” she said.
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Source: www.myjoyonline.com