The 2025 Auditor-General report has uncovered financial irregularities amounting to more than GH¢5.26 billion under the John Mahama government.
The audit report detailed that Ghana’s public finances suffered a major setback in 2025, with tax-related losses accounting for over 91 per cent of the total figure.
The audit contained in the Auditor-General’s Report on the Public Accounts of Ghana: Ministries, Departments and other Agencies (MDAs) for the year ended December 31, 2025, paints a grim picture of mounting financial leakages across ministries, departments and government agencies.
According to the audit report, total irregularities reached GH¢5,266,315,079 in 2025, the highest figure recorded in the past five years, which is more than double the amount reported in 2024.
In the audit report, tax irregularities emerged as the biggest source of concern, soaring to GH¢4.8 billion, with the report also flagging an additional US$154,976 in tax-related irregularities, further widening the losses.
“Cash irregularities amounted to GH¢410.7 million, while debts, loans and advances accounted for GH¢29.3 million. Payroll anomalies reached nearly GH¢20 million, raising concerns over possible unauthorised payments and weaknesses in payroll management. Other irregularities were recorded in contracts, stores and rent collections”, reports stated.
The report also highlights a dramatic rise in financial irregularities over the past five years.
Part of a report by citinews disclosed, “In 2021, total irregularities stood at just over GH¢1.08 billion. The figure rose to GH¢1.41 billion in 2022 before jumping to more than GH¢2.4 billion in 2023. Although irregularities declined slightly to about GH¢2.06 billion in 2024, the 2025 figure surged to a record GH¢5.26 billion.
Tax irregularities have driven much of this increase. Losses in that category grew from GH¢989 million in 2021 to GH¢1.25 billion in 2022 and GH¢2.16 billion in 2023. After dropping to GH¢1.58 billion in 2024, they skyrocketed to GH¢4.8 billion in 2025.
Cash irregularities also recorded a steep increase over the period, rising from GH¢45.8 million in 2021 to GH¢410.7 million in 2025”.
In related news, the audit report also unmasked the unlawful disbursement of a staggering GH¢7,494,975.34 to four late pensioners.
The revelation raised fresh concerns about weaknesses in Ghana’s pension administration system.
The irregularities were thoroughly detailed in the newly released Audit Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana – Ministries, Departments and Other Agencies (MDAs) for the year ended December 31, 2025.
According to the audit report, a total of GH¢7,494,975.34 was paid to four pensioners after their deaths between February 2019 and March 2026, which is contrary to Regulation 88 of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378).
The Auditor-General in the report recommended that the Controller and Accountant-General recover the full amount with interest calculated at the prevailing Bank of Ghana rate, from the next of kin of the four deceased pensioners.
According to the report, any recovered funds should be paid into the Auditor-General’s Recoveries Account at the Bank of Ghana.
The Auditor-General further instructed that if the money cannot be recovered, legal action should be initiated against both the bankers involved and the next-of-kin of the deceased pensioners.
Meanwhile, the audit finding forms part of a broader set of payroll irregularities identified in the 2025 audit of Ministries, Departments and Agencies.
Also, President John Dramani Mahama has warned Chief Executive Officers of state-owned enterprises (SOE) that they risk losing their jobs if they fail to submit audited accounts and annual reports.
According to John Mahama, Chief Executive Officers of state-owned enterprises who fail to submit audited accounts and annual reports by the deadline set by the State Interests and Governance Authority (SIGA) will be sacked.
He disclosed that his government is strengthening oversight of state-owned enterprises as part of broader efforts to improve accountability and management.
President asserted that several state institutions had operated for years without presenting audited accounts or annual reports, adding that the practice is unacceptable.
See part of the audit report below:
@ghnow_ Lawyer for Ghanaian businessman Abu Trica says he don’t know where his client has been held in custody #GHNow #fyp ♬ original sound – GHnow
