The management of the Ghana School of Law recently found themselves in hot water as they appeared before the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament to address issues raised in the audited financial statements of the General Legal Council for the years ending December 31, 2022. The committee grilled them on various infractions, including procurement breaches, delays in building renovations, and the transfer of revenue collections amounting to over GHC1.2 million cedis.
One of the key issues raised during the hearing was the use of invoices for purchases exceeding GHC5,000 to procure items totaling over GHC320,000. The Director of the Ghana School of Law, Yaw Oppong, admitted to the breaches and justified the use of sole sourcing without approval from the board of the Procurement Authority. He pleaded for forgiveness, attributing the infractions to inadvertence.
However, the Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, James Klutse Avedzi, was firm in his response, stating that the managers must face prosecution for their actions. He emphasized that the committee does not have the power to forgive such infractions and that the matter should be referred to the court for due process.
In addition to the Ghana School of Law, other institutions such as the National Commission on Culture and the Ghana Tourism Authority also appeared before the committee to address financial issues. The National Commission on Culture was ordered to make a payment of GHC1 million to the Ghana Tourism Development Fund, while the Ghana Tourism Authority defended its expenditure for the Year of Return programmes and outlined its outlook for the year, aiming to welcome 1.3 million tourists and generate over $3.8 billion in revenue.
Various other institutions under ministries such as Transport, Trade and Industry, Works and Housing, and Employment and Labour Relations also faced scrutiny for infractions highlighted in the Auditor General’s Report. The committee expressed concerns about how heads of institutions managed debts, leading to legal debts that strain the national coffers.
One of the notable appearances during the hearing was the Ghana Airports Company Limited, which explained the reasons behind the stagnant passenger handling service charge for over 14 years. The company attributed this to delays and poor maintenance of facilities, as well as losses incurred.
Overall, the hearing shed light on the financial management practices of various institutions in Ghana and highlighted the importance of accountability and transparency in public sector operations. The committee’s rigorous questioning and demand for accountability serve as a reminder to all institutions to adhere to proper financial protocols and avoid breaches that could have detrimental effects on the country’s finances.