President John Dramani Mahama has announced an urgent high-level meeting set for today, Thursday, October 9, bringing together the Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, and other key justice sector leaders.
The aim: to devise a comprehensive strategy to address the ongoing mismanagement of public funds that has plagued Ghana’s public sector.
The President made this announcement during the 12th Annual Conference of Chairpersons of Governing Boards and Councils, Chief Directors, and Chief Executives organized by the Public Services Commission in Ho. Addressing the gathering, President Mahama expressed deep concern over repeated financial infractions highlighted by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) and lamented the chronic lack of accountability following successive audit reports.
He referenced recent audits revealing estimated financial losses of GH¢15 billion due to misappropriation and irregularities, underscoring the urgent need for decisive action. “We need a more decisive approach to deter public officials who misuse state funds — a fast-track process to Nsawam,” the President asserted, signaling his intention to see swift justice delivered to those who betray public trust.
President Mahama also criticized the weak enforcement of constitutional provisions requiring Parliament to act on the Auditor-General’s findings, calling the existing process unclear and ineffective. He condemned the poor performance of Audit Report Implementation Committees (ARICs) within government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, noting that many had failed to act on PAC’s recommendations.
The upcoming meeting, President Mahama emphasised, is expected to yield tangible reforms and establish clear legal mechanisms to ensure accountability for public officials found guilty of financial misconduct. “The time has come for credible and enforceable systems that ensure real consequences for those who betray the public trust,” he declared.
Assuring his audience, President Mahama stated that the outcomes of Thursday’s meeting would mark the start of meaningful reforms aimed at ending the culture of impunity in the management of Ghana’s public resources.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
