The Member of Parliament (MP) for Akim Swedru, Kennedy Osei Nyarko, has attributed the irregularities highlighted in the Auditor-General’s Department report on government arrears and payables to civil servants rather than elected officials.

His comments followed the presentation of findings from the Auditor-General’s Department by the Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, which revealed that various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) had submitted claims amounting to GH₵1.4 billion that were either duplicated or overstated.

Addressing Parliament on Tuesday, March 10, Mr Osei Nyarko said it is the career staff within MDAs who approve financial transactions, not politicians.

He explained that ministers and Members of Parliament do not personally authorise payments, noting that such responsibilities fall under public service technocrats.

Mr Osei Nyarko also urged his parliamentary colleagues not to turn the matter into a political debate but to focus on addressing the underlying causes of the financial discrepancies identified in the report.