The Speaker of Parliament in Ghana, Alban Bagbin, has called on the Public Accounts Committee to exercise its oversight mandate with courage and firmness. He urged them to invoke their legal powers to detain individuals who misconduct themselves during hearings when necessary. This call was made at the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committees Conference.
According to Speaker Bagbin, the committee must be prepared to take appropriate action against public officials who fail to conduct themselves properly. He stressed that the committee's responsibility to promote accountability should not be treated lightly. He drew on his experience as a former PAC member, recalling instances when he ordered the detention of individuals during committee proceedings to maintain discipline.
The Speaker described the Public Accounts Committee as a critical institution in ensuring that public funds are properly managed and applied in the interest of citizens. He urged PAC members to be bold enough to challenge public officials and other persons in positions of authority when they act wrongly. They must also be prepared to enforce the law where circumstances demand it.
Speaker Bagbin explained that the committee's authority was rooted in the confidence citizens place in government to manage the country's resources on their behalf. He stated that PAC members have a duty to ensure that public officials account for their stewardship and use state resources for the collective benefit of the population.
He urged members to carry out their responsibilities diligently, emphasising that accountability in public service must never be compromised. According to him, members must have the courage to tell those in power that they got it wrong. They must also have the courage to go beyond that and apply the law during hearings.
The Speaker noted that the committee's mandate is given to them because they compel everybody, as a representative, to put all their resources at the disposal of those who have elected to lead. He added that this is not a business to be toyed with, but serious business that requires boldness and firmness in the discharge of their duties.
Speaker Bagbin's call for bold action by the Public Accounts Committee is seen as a move to enhance accountability and transparency in the management of public funds in Ghana. The committee plays a critical role in ensuring that public officials are held accountable for their actions and that state resources are used for the benefit of all citizens.
Key points
- The Speaker of Parliament urges the Public Accounts Committee to detain officials who misconduct themselves during hearings.
- The committee's authority is rooted in the confidence citizens place in government to manage the country's resources.
- Accountability in public service must never be compromised, according to the Speaker.
