The Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu has rejected over ₵12.16 billion in payment claims submitted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in government payables as of December 31, 2024.
According to the Auditor-General, most of the claims lacked proper documentation and proof of value for money.
The interim audit report, published on both the Ministry of Finance and Ghana Audit Service websites, more than 41 per cent of the rejected claims originated from the energy sector due to contract management and legacy debts.
Bank Transfer Advices (BTAs) for projects and services executed by Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) across the country are part of the rejected payables.
“The Finance Ministry has explained that the significant build-up of payables in 2024 contributed to a large primary deficit, far exceeding the modest surplus originally programmed for the fiscal year.
To curb arrears, strengthen fiscal discipline, and reinforce public financial management (PFM) controls, the Minister for Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, commissioned an extensive audit of all outstanding government payables and commitments”.
“The Ministry engaged the Auditor-General, alongside two independent audit firms, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and Ernst & Young (EY), for an intensive eight-week review aimed at validating the authenticity of the claims.
Dr Ato Forson noted that “the objective is to verify the legitimacy and accuracy of these claims”. He emphasised that “the findings will guide corrective actions to resolve irregularities and improve accountability going forward”.
“Preliminary findings from the audit indicate that an additional GHS 77.8 billion in claims and commitments require further justification and documentation before being cleared for payment”.
The report revealed that engagements were held with “MDAs, contractors, and suppliers to verify the legitimacy of each claim”.
Affected entities have now been granted the opportunity to contest or justify their rejected claims by submitting the necessary supporting documentation.
A verification window has been opened until November 7, 2025, for MDAs and contractors to justify their claims.
The Auditor-General noted that after November 7, 2025, any arrears or commitments that remain unverified or unjustified will be permanently expunged from the government’s official arrears and commitments register.
This development highlights the Mahama government’s commitment to fiscal credibility, enhancing transparency and sanitising public expenditure to consolidate Ghana’s macroeconomic recovery effort.
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— Ghana Chronicles (@_GhChronicles) November 6, 2025
The Auditor-General has rejected over ₵12.16 billion in payment claims submitted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). 💰
According to the A-G, most of the claims lacked proper documentation and proof of value for money.
A verification window has… pic.twitter.com/K6otlFN8PA