Mahama seeks lasting solutions to end misuse of public funds, set to meet Chief Justice and AG

President John Dramani Mahama has announced plans to convene a crucial meeting with the Chief Justice, Attorney General, and other stakeholders to devise lasting solutions to the rampant misuse of public funds in Ghana.

This initiative comes on the heels of the Auditor-General’s reports, which have consistently highlighted egregious cases of financial irregularities across various public institutions.

Speaking at the 12th Annual Conference of Chairpersons of Governing Boards and Chief Executives of Public Services in Ho, President Mahama expressed his profound disappointment over the persistent mismanagement of state resources. He lamented the “pathetic” state of accountability, citing his observations from the Public Accounts Committee hearings.

“I’ve been watching the Public Accounts Committee, and it’s so pathetic. Every year, we gather and hear the same reckless misuse of public funds,” he lamented.

President Mahama emphasized the need for a more expedient and effective legal process to punish those found guilty of financial misconduct, stressing that unless individuals are held accountable, the cycle of corruption and waste will persist.

He underscored the significance of accountability, noting that the financial losses identified by the Auditor-General could have been channeled into national development initiatives if properly managed. He also criticized the poor enforcement of constitutional requirements for Parliament to establish a committee to monitor the Auditor-General’s findings, citing the ineffectiveness of the current Audit Report Implementation Committees (ARICs).

President Mahama reiterated that individuals must be held accountable for the persistent misuse of public funds to serve as a deterrent to others.

“Until people know they will be held responsible for misusing public resources, nothing will change,” he emphasized.

Phalonzy