The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has directed that a comprehensive investigation be conducted into financial transactions amounting to GH¢3 million processed outside the government’s official financial management system.

The payments, made through the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, were flagged for bypassing the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System, raising concerns about possible breaches of established public financial procedures.

The ministry was cited for irregularities linked to commitments totalling about GH¢3 million, which were settled in 2024. A review of records showed that the payments related to outstanding claims.

Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee on Tuesday, March 31, Mr Mubarak emphasised the need for a full-scale probe to uncover how the transactions were processed and to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

He questioned how such payments could have been authorised without going through GIFMIS, noting that the system is designed as a mandatory gateway for all government financial transactions.

According to him, any mechanism that allows payments to circumvent the system could amount to a serious violation of financial regulations.

Mr Mubarak further indicated that if it is established that officials were able to process payments directly through the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department without using GIFMIS, it could constitute a criminal act.

He urged the Committee to thoroughly interrogate the matter and identify the processes used, stressing the importance of closing any loopholes to safeguard public funds and strengthen accountability within the system.