The 2023 Auditor General Report found a total of ¢8.799 billion in irregularities among Public Boards, Corporations, and other Statutory Institutions. This is a significant drop from the 2022 total of ¢15.059 billion, marking a 41.6% decrease.
The irregularities included US$4,585,776, which was converted to Ghana cedis at an exchange rate of GH¢11.88 to US$1 as of December 31, 2023. Overall, the report noted that most types of irregularities decreased in 2023 compared to 2022, except for procurement and contract irregularities. This decrease occurred even though 135 institutions were audited in 2023, compared to 113 institutions in 2022.
The 2023 irregularities of GH¢8.799 billion consisted of GH¢8.732 billion that can be recovered and GH¢66.807 million in administrative infractions. The administrative irregularities included procurement and procedural lapses in public financial management, but did not result in a loss of funds.
The recoverable amount includes debts between government agencies, overdue receivables, locked-up investments, unpaid taxes, unretired imprest, and loans given to employees. The administrative infractions involved procurement irregularities, overdue payables, and penalties for delayed payments to suppliers.
Of the total GH¢8.799 billion in irregularities, GH¢8.732 billion, or 99.24%, can be recovered. The remaining GH¢66.807 million, which is 0.76%, consists of irrecoverable procurement and other irregularities.
The Auditor General recommended strict enforcement of recommendations to ensure better financial management of public resources.
