The Public Accounts Committee of Ghana's Parliament has suspended consideration of two high-profile audit reports, the forensic audit of Ghana's Embassy in Washington, D.C. and the audit of the 13th All African Games. This decision was made after the Auditor-General withdrew both documents for corrections. The Committee's Chairperson, Abena Osei-Asare, announced the suspension at the start of PAC sittings.
The two audits had generated intense public interest. The Washington Embassy audit, which covered January 2017 to June 2025, flagged about $19.38 million in irregular transactions related to visa and passport support services, mailing fees, and other charges. The audit followed allegations that a former locally-recruited ICT staff, Fred Kwarteng, created an unauthorized link that charged applicants extra fees.
The scandal forced the government to temporarily close the mission on May 26, 2025, recall home-based staff, and suspend local staff. The All African Games audit cited procurement and spending irregularities across accommodation, catering, transport, equipment, and infrastructure. The Auditor-General recommended the recovery of over GH¢579 million plus $44.35 million and €629,070 from three former officials.
Abena Osei-Asare stressed that the withdrawal of the reports does not end parliamentary scrutiny. She emphasized that accountability requires agency, but credibility requires accuracy. The Committee will insist on both when the corrected reports return. The focus will be on recovery of funds, whether system weaknesses have been fixed, and whether past recommendations have been implemented.
The Committee will also acknowledge institutions that have reformed, noting that accountability must be firm but fair. Abena Osei-Asare stated that public money must have a public account, standards must lead to action, action must lead to results, and wrongdoing must lead to consequences.
The Auditor-General formally wrote to Parliament to withdraw the Embassy report, while the All African Games report was stepped down following a debriefing with his office. The Committee cannot proceed until revised and properly authorized versions are laid in Parliament. Abena Osei-Asare said, "We will not be looking at these two reports until they are brought back to us again."
The suspension of the hearings does not imply a lack of interest in the matters. Rather, it demonstrates the Committee's commitment to ensuring that the audits are accurate and credible. The Public Accounts Committee will resume consideration of the reports once the corrected versions are submitted.
Key points
- The Public Accounts Committee of Ghana's Parliament has suspended hearings on two high-profile audit reports due to the withdrawal of the reports for corrections.
- The audits in question involve irregular transactions at Ghana's Embassy in Washington, D.C. and procurement irregularities during the 13th All African Games.
- The Committee will focus on recovery of funds and implementation of recommendations when the corrected reports are resubmitted.
