Weak communication and lack of coordination between the Ministry of Finance and government agencies have been blamed for many of the arrears appearing in the Auditor-General’s report.
Davis Ansah Opoku, Member of Parliament for Mpraeso and Vice Chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), made the revelation while speaking on Adom FM’s Dwaso Nsem programme.
Opoku explained that in several instances, the Ministry of Finance makes payments to contractors and suppliers, but fails to promptly inform the relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). As a result, these agencies continue to treat the obligations as unpaid, inflating the arrears figures in official records.
“In some cases, the Finance Ministry settles payments to contractors, but the information is not communicated to the relevant MDA,” he said. “As a result, those agencies continue to record the payments as outstanding, creating the impression that the government still owes the contractors.”
He added that this lack of coordination has been a key contributor to the arrears reflected in the Auditor-General’s report, which is currently under scrutiny by the PAC.
The Vice Chairman stressed that the problem is largely institutional and stems from inefficiencies in the government’s payment processes. He called for urgent improvements in communication channels to ensure all stakeholders receive timely updates on payments made.
Mr Opoku emphasised the need for better communication and coordination within the payment system to ensure accurate financial records and strengthen accountability across the public sector.
The Auditor-General’s report on government arrears and payables has attracted significant attention in recent weeks, with the PAC tasked with examining irregularities and ensuring proper use of public funds. The committee’s review forms part of Parliament’s oversight responsibility over state expenditure.
This latest explanation from the PAC Vice Chair points to systemic gaps rather than deliberate wrongdoing in some of the reported arrears, even as the committee continues its broader probe into the Auditor-General’s findings.
