GH¢12.16bn MDA payment claims rejected - Verification window opens until November 7
The Office of the Auditor-General has rejected more than GH¢12.16 billion outstanding claims, commitments and bank transfer advices (BTAs) the Ministry of Finance submitted to it for verification.
It follows a nationwide audit it conducted between May and October this year in collaboration with global accounting firms, PwC and EY.
The exercise sought to verify the authenticity, supporting documentation, and value-for-money of each claim before clearance for payment, in collaboration with reputable accounting firms PwC and EY.
The Ministry of Finance submitted to the Auditor-General all outstanding commitments, claims and BTAs as of December 31, last year, to be audited before any payments are made.
The claims relate to works executed and services rendered under various government projects across ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) nationwide.
The rejected amount represents payment requests made by contractors, consultants and service providers for works allegedly executed and services rendered under various government projects.
Under the process, engagements are done with MDAs, contractors and suppliers to verify and validate the legitimacy of the claims.
There is also a long list of items awaiting validation by the service providers and suppliers.
Audit findings
The audit findings showed that the Ministry of Energy accounted for the highest rejected claims, totalling GH¢5.01 billion, followed by GH¢4.74 billion relating to services rendered to the Ministry of Roads and Highways.
Other notable rejections include GH¢406.61 million from the Ministry of Health; GH¢408.31 million under the Ministry of Local Government; GH¢317.24 million from the Ministry of Defence, and GH¢225.94 million from the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
Some of the major projects affected by the rejections include the Agenda 111 hospitals project, the construction of a flyover across the Tema Motorway from the Flowerpot Roundabout, and the construction of the Police Divisional Headquarters (Phase I) at Tema Community 3.
Others are the procurement of uniforms and clothing for the Ghana Armed Forces, and road rehabilitation projects such as the Kumasi Inner City Ring Road and adjacent streets (100km Phase 1) and the Frafraha-Pantang Area Roads (1.95km).
Audit report
The details of the findings were contained in a 531-page audit report signed by the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, which emphasised the need for stricter financial controls and documentation to prevent wrongful claims and safeguard public funds.
The report consisted of an interim list of rejected and pending claims, commitments and BTAs submitted by the Minister of Finance for verification as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
Published list
The newly published list, the Auditor-General explained, covers arrears and outstanding commitments that have either been rejected or remain pending for further justification before payment.
Mr Asiedu further announced that affected parties had the opportunity to contest or justify their claims by submitting supporting documentation through the relevant MDAs to the Ghana Audit Service for final validation.
This verification window remains open until Friday, November 7, 2025. After that date, any arrears or commitments that remain rejected or unverified will be permanently expunged from the government’s arrears and commitment records.
The Auditor-General has subsequently published the interim list of rejected and pending claims, commitments and Bank Transfer Advices (BTAs) as part of efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
It can also be accessed on the Ministry of Finance website as well as on the www.graphic.com.gh website.
