Addressing the Government Accountability Series this morning, Attorney General Dr. Dominic Ayine outlined a reinforced enforcement approach aimed at recovering lost state funds and strengthening oversight of public officers, reinforcing the government’s commitment to financial integrity and disciplined governance.
The measures, which include civil surcharges and potential criminal prosecution, are designed to deter negligence and ensure accountability at all levels of public service, the minister said.
He highlighted that accountability will extend beyond criminal liability, with civil remedies such as surcharge and disallowance poised to play a central role in recovering mismanaged funds. “Even if you have not benefited personally, causing financial loss to the state may result in surcharge and disallowance,” he said, affirming that officials could be held financially responsible for negligent or reckless conduct, even in the absence of personal enrichment.
The Attorney General explained that the surcharge mechanism will enable the state to recover lost funds by disallowing improper expenditures and surcharging them on the officers responsible. “The surcharge and disallowance will be used to recover all money lost to the state from public officers,” Dr Ayine stressed, outlining a civil path to restitution that can operate alongside, and independently of, criminal prosecution.
In detailing the approach, Dr Ayine also emphasized cooperation with the Auditor General’s office, which will identify irregular expenditures that could trigger disallowance orders and subsequent civil recovery actions. “In addition to criminal charges, the Auditor General will disallow the sums and surcharge those responsible,” he noted, signaling a coordinated push to enforce financial discipline.
The policy shift is expected to reshape government expenditure frameworks, auditing practices, and public sector compliance. Strengthened accountability mechanisms should reassure investors of the government’s commitment to prudent fiscal management, reduce perceived risks in public‑private engagements, and improve the overall investment climate.
