About ¢1.412 billion were recorded as financial irregularities in 2022, the 2022 Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana has revealed.
This is ¢332 million more than the ¢1.080 billion recorded in 2021.
The financial irregularities include Tax Irregularities (¢1.247 billion); Cash Irregularities (¢57.471 million); Indebtedness/Loans/Advances (¢89,744 million); Payroll Irregularities (¢14.254 million); Stores/ProcurementIrregularities (¢321,950); Rent Irregularities (¢2.142 million) and Contract Irregularities (¢556,333).
Tax Irregularities
Tax irregularities of ¢1.247 billion formed 88.3% of the total financial infractions reported.
Included in this tax irregularity was ¢327.63 million due from 18 Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) that defaulted in paying their rescheduled debt between January 2022 and December 2022.
Also, an amount of ¢361,677 million was owed by 2,557 registered VAT traders during the year of assessment.
These irregularities, the report said, could be attributed mainly to failure on the part of the Ghana Revenue Authority to pursue the OMCs and registered VAT traders by applying the relevant measures and sanctions against defaulters.
The Auditor-General therefore urged the Commissioner General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) to strengthen monitoring and supervision of staff.
Cash Irregularities
Total cash irregularities of ¢57.471 million during the period represented 4.1% of the total irregularities. These irregularities which cut across MDAs were attributable to unapproved disbursements, unpresented payment vouchers, unaccounted revenue, unsupported payment vouchers, funds to bank not credited, non-lodgement of public funds, embezzlement of funds and unretired imprest.
In the absence of the payment vouchers and supporting documents, the Auditor-General recommended that the Chief Executive Officer and the Director of Finance pay the money.
Indebtedness/Loans/Advances
Total Indebtedness/Loans/Advances amounting to ¢89.744 million represented 6.4% of the total irregularities.
A significant amount of these irregularities was ¢1.763 million owed by 72 farmers who received farm equipment on credit basis under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture’s Brazilian More Food Programme. 24.
The report recommended that the Chief Director ensure that the Head of Tractor Accounts recovers the outstanding amount of ¢1.763 million from the beneficiaries.
Payroll Irregularities
Payroll irregularities amounting to ¢14.254 million was recorded during the period reviewed.
Included in the total payroll irregularities was ¢1.922 million being unearned salaries paid to 95 unknown names from an institution under Ministry of Health.
The Auditor General recommended for the recovery of the total amount by the Regional Health Director and the Medical Director without delay.
The audit covered the period January 2022 to December 2022.
Based on the above objectives, internal control and the internal audit functions were reviewed to assess the risk associated with the management and utilisation of public resources, and to determine if there were fairness and integrity in administrative decision making and in dealing with the stakeholders.