The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has concluded its public hearing on the Special Audit Report by the Auditor-General on government outstanding claims and commitments as of December 31, 2024.

According to Edem Agbana, the Committee will continue its review of the 2024 audited accounts in Tamale next week as part of ongoing efforts to ensure accountability in public financial management.

The special audit was commissioned at the request of President John Dramani Mahama through the Ministry of Finance, in line with provisions under the 1992 Constitution.

Its primary objective was to validate arrears, payables, and commitments reported by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

To support the process, the Auditor-General engaged global audit firms PwC and EY to assist in verifying claims across 50 MDAs.

Preliminary findings from the audit indicate that the exercise helped Ghana save over GHS21 billion by rejecting unsupported or invalid claims submitted by some institutions.

The PAC hearings also brought to light significant gaps in the systems used to monitor and control payments across MDAs, raising concerns about structural inefficiencies in public financial administration.

Although the Committee’s final report is yet to be released, officials say the issues identified highlight the urgent need for reforms to strengthen oversight and accountability mechanisms.

The Committee has encouraged the public to closely follow its proceedings and remain engaged, stressing that transparency and sustained scrutiny are essential in addressing corruption and improving governance.