Deputy Finance Minister presents Auditor-General’s Report on GH¢8.1B arrears to parliament

The Deputy Minister for Finance, Hon. Thomas Nyarko Ampem, on Tuesday presented to Parliament a detailed report from the Auditor-General on the government’s arrears and payables as of the end of 2024, revealing a complex financial legacy that includes a significant sum rejected by state auditors.

Delivering the statement on behalf of the Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Hon. Ampem laid before the House the findings of the forensic audit, which was conducted to scrutinize the stock of inherited financial obligations. The statement was made pursuant to Order 91(2) of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

According to the report, the Auditor-General’s forensic audit has rejected a total of GH¢8.1 billion in claims that were part of the inherited government payables. This suggests that a substantial portion of the arrears inherited by the current administration failed to meet the necessary legal and procedural criteria for immediate settlement.

The presentation of the report is a critical step in the government’s efforts to clean up the public finances and establish a credible path for paying legitimate debts owed to contractors, suppliers, and other state agencies. The audit aims to distinguish between verified claims and those deemed irregular, excessive, or lacking proper documentation.

The full details of the Auditor-General’s findings, including a breakdown of the rejected claims and the methodology used, were formally submitted to the Speaker and the House for further scrutiny.

The development is expected to generate significant debate among lawmakers, as they digest the implications of the audit for the national budget and for entities awaiting payment from the state. The government is now tasked with determining the next steps for settling the verified arrears while addressing the concerns raised over the disallowed GH¢8.1 billion.