South Dayi MP and Majority Chief Whip, Rockson‑Nelson Dafeamekpor, has urged Parliament to launch a forensic audit after discovering gaps in the Auditor‑General’s review of GH¢775 million approved for Transport, Local Government and Education ministries.
Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express, Mr Dafeamekpor said the Auditor‑General’s follow‑up report on earlier audit recommendations was forwarded to the programme’s producer. He claimed the January 2023 audit did not cover the full spectrum of expenditure approved by the House.
According to him, Parliament approved GH¢299 million for the Ministry of Transport, yet the audit reported zero expenditure. For Local Government, nearly GH¢160 million was approved and released, but the auditors again reported zero. In Education, Parliament approved and released GH¢316.1 million, while the audit recorded only GH¢96.3 million.
Mr Dafeamekpor noted the special audit was commissioned by the Ministry of Finance on 14 July 2022 but was limited to the education sector. He warned that Parliament would need to request a broader examination of the expenditure, insisting a forensic audit is required rather than another special audit.
He stopped short of alleging deliberate deception, but said Parliament could be misled if the Auditor‑General reports incomplete figures to the House while suppressing the actual amounts spent.
Parliament is expected to respond by requesting a comprehensive forensic audit to ensure all approved COVID‑19 funds are accounted for.
