The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has raised concerns over an apparent discrepancy involving about GH¢190 million in payments made to contractors and suppliers under the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, which are still reflected as outstanding in the records of the Ministry of Finance.
Appearing before the Committee on Thursday April 2, 2026, the Director in charge of Finance at the Ministry, Philip Akeh, confirmed that the payments in question had already been settled.However, he acknowledged that the amounts continue to appear in official records, prompting scrutiny from the Committee.
According to him, the situation stems from the payment mechanisms used by the Ministry of Finance.He explained that the Ministry executes some payments through financial instruments such as bonds, factoring arrangements and discount houses.
“These payments are made by the Ministry of Finance using bonds, factoring and discount houses to settle obligations to contractors and suppliers, often without direct record updates from the Ministry,” he told the Committee.
Members of the PAC questioned why such significant transactions were not properly reflected in the financial records, stressing the need for improved coordination and transparency between the two ministries.
The Committee indicated that the discrepancy raises concerns about the accuracy of public financial reporting and could complicate efforts to track government expenditure.
The issue is expected to form part of ongoing deliberations by the PAC as it continues its oversight of public sector financial management.
CREDIT: Mavis Fantevi
