The Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed that one of the companies cited for various infractions in the Auditor-General’s special report has made payment of GHS19.1 million to the state a week after findings of the report was made available.

Rans Logistics was mentioned for its involvement in a scandal involving missing grains and overpayment for services, as well as thousands of tonnes of rice and maize that disappeared without account.

The sourcing, payments and distribution of grains were done in 2024 to mitigate the impact of an unusually longer-than-expected dry spell on vulnerable populations in some farming communities across the country.

However appearing before the Public Accounts Committee Monday, the deputy finance Minister disclosed that Rans Logistics has refunded 19.1 million cedis to the state, with expectation that about 7,000 tonnes of grains would also be reimbursed.

“I just want to give one example to show the importance of the audit to us as a nation,” he told the Committee.

“Exactly a week after, on 17 March, one of the companies identified with some of the infractions responded,” he said.

“Rans Logistics was the company stated to have been overpaid for the transportation of grains. Exactly a week after the presentation, the company has refunded GH¢19.1 million to the state.”

“If you look at the audit revelations, it is not just the GH¢19.1 million that were cited. It was also stated that the company was paid with rice in excess of 7,000 metric tonnes. So we are expecting the value of 7,000 metric tonnes of rice as well,” he explained.

Thomas Ampem said the Ministry has already started payment for audit accounts that have been validated, adding that the Attorney General would soon make necessary recommendations concerning the infractions in the special audit report.

“The Attorney-General is working with his team to recommend the right course of action for all these infractions that have been identified,” he stated.