The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Ghana's Parliament has ordered the Ministry of Health to investigate the National Vaccine Institute's expenditure of GHC13 million on training, seminars, and conferences in 2025. This directive was issued after the Institute appeared before the Committee to address findings in the 2025 Auditor-General's Report. The report revealed a significant shift in the Institute's financial position, from a profit of GHC36 million to a loss of GHC21 million within the financial year.
According to the National Vaccine Institute's Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey, the GHC13 million expenditure covered training activities in partnership with eight universities in Ghana, as well as meetings and other engagements. The Institute's representative explained that these training activities included a vaccine investment forum organised to discuss financing for vaccine manufacturing with bankers. The forum was part of the Institute's efforts to explore funding opportunities for vaccine production.
The PAC Chairperson, Abena Osei-Asare, questioned the scale of the expenditure, describing it as high for a single financial year. She asked the Ministry of Health to examine how the funds were used, expressing concerns about the GHC13.1 million spent on conferences and seminars. The Chairperson urged the Health Minister to investigate the matter, citing the need for transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
The National Vaccine Institute's financial performance has raised concerns, with the Auditor-General's Report highlighting a significant decline in profitability. The Institute's shift from a profit of GHC36 million to a loss of GHC21 million within a year has sparked scrutiny of its financial management. The PAC's directive aims to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and effectively.
The Ministry of Health is expected to investigate the expenditure and provide a report to the PAC. The Committee's directive is part of its oversight role to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds. The investigation will focus on the National Vaccine Institute's financial management and the use of funds for training, seminars, and conferences.
The PAC's concerns about the National Vaccine Institute's expenditure reflect broader issues of financial management in Ghana's public sector. The Committee's efforts to promote transparency and accountability are crucial in ensuring that public funds are used for their intended purposes. The investigation into the National Vaccine Institute's expenditure will provide insights into the Institute's financial management and inform measures to improve accountability.
The outcome of the investigation will be crucial in determining the National Vaccine Institute's financial management and the use of public funds. The Ministry of Health's report to the PAC will provide an update on the investigation and any actions taken to address concerns about the Institute's financial management. The PAC's oversight role will continue to ensure that public funds are used efficiently and effectively.
Key points
- The Public Accounts Committee has directed the Ministry of Health to investigate the National Vaccine Institute's expenditure of GHC13 million on training, seminars, and conferences.
- The National Vaccine Institute's financial performance has raised concerns, with a significant decline in profitability.
- The investigation aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the use of public funds.
