Former Auditor General Daniel Yao Domelevo has called for the prosecution of individuals and organizations accused of misusing public funds.
His push comes in the wake of the Auditor General’s report on the government’s COVID-19 spending.
According to the report, more than GHS 21 billion was mobilized for the fight against COVID-19, but only GHS 5.5 billion was spent on health.
The remainder was spent on budget line items such as government programs such as Free SHS and LEAP, among others.
Furthermore, some of the funds were used for unapproved expenses or purchases that have yet to be delivered. As a result, the Auditor General’s report recommended that such funds be returned to the state.
“I have seen the report, and I am really sad because you go into the report and see how the money has been wasted, it is mind-boggling and I wonder if people are serious,” Mr. Domelevo lamented.
Speaking at Accra-based television, Citi TV, the concerned former Auditor General argues that if state institutions such as the Auditor General and the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) collaborate to trigger the appropriate prosecutorial processes, the era of people who flout financial laws could come to an end.
“The part of the audit that bothers on criminality should be handed over to the Office of the Special Prosecutor and I think he should work hand-in-hand with the Auditor General and see people being dragged to court and prosecuted in addition to the recovery of the monies. It will install fear in the system. “One of the things I hope to get out of this collaboration is the necessary evidence that the OSP will use in court,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mr. Domelevo says he expects a thorough audit of the National Cathedral project’s funds.
He chastised the government for using scarce public funds to fund the project.
