The Member of Parliament for Walewale, Dr Mahama Tiah Abdul-Kabiru, has described a government report on arrears and payables presented to Parliament as a “compendium of half-truths.”
The report, which was read in Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, by Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem on behalf of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson, detailed the findings of an audit into GH¢68.7 billion in claims submitted by contractors and suppliers as outstanding payments at the end of 2024.
Among the key issues raised in the report was the purchase of 10,000 metric tonnes of rice by the government in 2024, which remains unaccounted for, prompting concerns over transparency in the distribution of food supplies meant to address the effects of the dry spell.
The document also stated that GH¢45.4 billion out of the total GH¢68.7 billion in claims had been validated for payment following an audit and verification process.
Additionally, it revealed that 35 contractors under the Agenda 111 initiative received approximately US$7.9 million in mobilisation funds but allegedly failed to mobilise to site or perform work commensurate with the amounts paid.
Reacting to the report during an interview with Bernard Avle on Channel One TV’s programme The Point of View on Wednesday, March 11, Dr Abdul-Kabiru criticised its contents, describing it as misleading.
“The Minister’s report is a compendium of half-truths. There are certain issues in the report that, if they are true, we in the Minority will support full disclosure and investigations, and those people found culpable should be made to face the full rigour of the law,” he said.
According to the report, the Ghana Audit Service, in collaboration with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers, undertook a verification exercise on GH¢68.7 billion in unpaid Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), invoices, and Bank Transfer Advices (BTAs) owed to contractors and suppliers.
The audit established that outstanding IPCs and invoices accounted for GH¢50.5 billion, while unpaid Bank Transfer Advices totalled GH¢18.3 billion.