- 2 schools referred to Attorney-General for prosecution
- Procurement breaches cited at both institutions
- PAC enforces accountability measures
- Crackdown on financial mismanagement in education sector
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has taken a bold step in referring two educational institutions, Swedru School of Business and College of Community Health Nurses Training in Winneba, to the Attorney General’s department for prosecution. This decision was made during the PAC’s sitting in Takoradi, where they were examining the audited reports of 2023 for Technical Universities, Colleges of Education, Senior High Schools, and Municipal and District Assemblies from the Central and Western Regions.
The Swedru School of Business was cited for procuring stationary items exceeding GH¢183,000 without following the laid-down rules of the Procurement Act. School authorities disputed this claim, stating they provided alternative quotations to the auditors. However, the PAC rejected this claim, pointing out that the school failed to make these documents available during the audit and misfiled the alternative quotations.
PAC Chairman expressed concern over the excessive procurement, questioning whether it was for one examination or multiple ones. He deemed this a serious matter, warranting referral to the Attorney General for prosecution.
Additionally, the PAC ordered a supplier who failed to deliver school uniforms to Swedru School of Business to do so by the end of October, warning that failure would attract prosecution.
College of Community Health Nurses Training in Winneba was also sanctioned for breaching procurement laws. They approved purchases above their threshold, including GH¢2,227.29 worth of school fabrics. Mr. Avedzi emphasized that the institution would be sanctioned under Section 92 of the Procurement Law, urging them to follow proper procedures in future procurements.
The PAC’s actions demonstrate their commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in public institutions. By referring these institutions to the Attorney General, they are taking a firm stance against procurement irregularities.
This move is part of the PAC’s broader efforts to address financial mismanagement in Ghana’s educational sector. Similar actions have been taken against other institutions, such as the Ghana School of Law, which was also referred to the Attorney General for prosecution.
The PAC’s probe into the audited reports of 2023 aims to identify and address financial irregularities in Technical Universities, Colleges of Education, Senior High Schools, and Municipal and District Assemblies.
The Committee’s work is crucial in promoting good governance and ensuring that public funds are utilized efficiently.
The PAC’s decision to refer Swedru School of Business and College of Community Health Nurses Training to the Attorney General’s department for prosecution highlights their dedication to combating financial malfeasance and promoting accountability in Ghana’s public institutions.
The actions taken by the PAC serve as a warning to other institutions to adhere to procurement laws and regulations, ensuring that public funds are used responsibly.
