In a recent development, the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has raised serious concerns regarding the financial management practices of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA). The committee has issued a two-week ultimatum to the internal auditor, Ridwan Kokroko, to provide detailed accounts of an amount totaling GH¢110,000 in revenue that remains unaccounted for.
This directive comes in the wake of the Auditor General’s report, which uncovered that six revenue collectors at the AMA failed to deposit an amount of GH¢151,000 into the assembly’s account. While officials from the AMA have indicated that a portion of the funds has been recovered, an alarming GH¢110,000 still remains untraceable.
Chairman of the committee, James Klutse Avedzi, has attributed this financial discrepancy to the negligence of the internal auditor. As a result, the committee has mandated Kokroko to furnish evidence of the missing funds within the stipulated two-week timeframe. Failure to do so will result in Kokroko being held accountable for the unaccounted amount.
Avedzi emphasized the importance of accountability and diligence in financial oversight, stating, “Don’t think that this committee doesn’t know anything. You are not doing your work as an auditor. You are not! I don’t believe that an officer is not well, and for that matter, the file cannot be retrieved. We are giving you two weeks to go and locate the file and show it to the auditors to ensure that lodgement had been made for these GH¢110,000 and if you fail, we will make you pay the money.”
This ultimatum serves as a stark reminder of the critical role that internal auditors play in ensuring transparency and accountability within public institutions. It also underscores the imperative for swift and thorough action in addressing financial discrepancies to uphold public trust and fiscal responsibility.
The outcome of this ultimatum will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for both the Accra Metropolitan Assembly and the broader landscape of financial governance. It is imperative that all stakeholders involved prioritize swift resolution and adherence to best practices in financial management to safeguard public resources and uphold the integrity of institutional operations.
-source citinewsroom | Tetteh Belinda | GhanaCrimes
