The Acting Director-General of the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), Ing. Dr Mark-Oliver Kevor, has called for accountability regarding serious findings in the African Games audit report. The report details outstanding liabilities of GHS 280 million. It also flags procurement irregularities involving hundreds of millions of cedis, urging implicated officials to respond before Parliament.
These revelations are particularly concerning given the tight procedures public officials must follow. The Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the African Games allegedly awarded 55 single-source contracts. These contracts reportedly lacked necessary justification. Furthermore, eight of these approvals came from the Public Procurement Authority (PPA) after the deals were already made.
This situation fits within a broader context of public finance management in Ghana. The country has faced scrutiny over the transparency of its spending on large national events. Past audits of government projects have also pointed to weaknesses in procurement processes and oversight. The need for strict adherence to laws like the Public Financial Management Act is paramount for maintaining public trust in handling taxpayer money.
Ing. Dr Mark-Oliver Kevor stated, “These are too serious to ignore… The report speaks about outstanding liabilities of about GHS 280 million. Look at procurement running into hundreds of millions of cedis.” He emphasized that these are serious matters requiring direct responses. He urged those named in the report to present their explanations formally before Parliament.
The implications of this audit are significant for public financial management and accountability. It raises questions about the effectiveness of existing controls and mechanisms designed to prevent misuse of public funds. State investigative and accountability bodies are expected to examine these findings closely. Future large-scale national projects will likely face increased public and parliamentary scrutiny regarding their financial execution and adherence to procurement laws.