An audit into government expenditure on the 2024 dry spell relief programme has uncovered significant financial irregularities, including overpayments for grain transportation and thousands of tonnes of food items that remain unaccounted for.

According to the report by the Auditor-General of Ghana, irregularities were detected under the Farmer Food Relief and Recovery Programme implemented by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture to support farmers affected by the prolonged dry spell.

The audit revealed that a transportation company was contracted to transport 134,000 metric tonnes of maize and rice to farmers nationwide at a contract sum of GHS115.2 million.

However, the company reportedly transported only 35,000 metric tonnes of the grains, which should have cost GHS30.9 million.

Despite the reduced volume, the company was paid GHS50 million.

In addition, it received 7,311 metric tonnes of rice — equivalent to 14,622 bags of 50kg rice valued at about GHS11.7 million — in lieu of cash for work not executed.

The payments brought the total amount received by the company to GHS61.7 million.

As a result, the Auditor-General of Ghana rejected a further request by the Ministry of Food and Agriculture for an additional GHS65.2 million to be paid to the transport company.

The audit also found discrepancies in the procurement and distribution of rice and maize intended to support farmers during the dry spell.

Government reportedly paid for 34,000 metric tonnes of rice for the relief intervention.

However, records from the Ministry of Food and Agriculture show that only 24,000 metric tonnes were received and distributed.

The remaining 10,000 metric tonnes of rice have not been accounted for, even though full payment for the consignment had already been made.

Further findings showed that the government contracted a company to supply 100,000 metric tonnes of maize for the programme.

The Ministry submitted a Stores Receipt Advice indicating that the full quantity had been delivered at a cost of GHS 771.2 million to facilitate payment by the Ministry of Finance.

However, the audit revealed that only 11,900 metric tonnes of maize were actually supplied and distributed.

The Stores Receipt Advice used to support the payment request was reportedly accompanied by a checklist that had been certified by the internal auditor of the Ministry of Food and Agriculture.

The audit findings raise serious concerns about procurement oversight, verification processes and accountability in the management of relief supplies intended to support farmers during the 2024 dry spell.

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