Former Director-General of the Internal Audit Agency, Dr. Eric Oduro Osae, says the Auditor-General must disclose consolidated recoveries from previous years’ financial irregularities.

The governance expert warns that the public cannot continue to accept ballooning audit infractions without clear accountability.

Reacting to the Auditor-General’s 2024 report revealing GH¢18.4 billion in financial irregularities, a sharp rise from GH¢8.8 billion in 2023, Dr. Osae said the situation is deeply troubling.

“The report is not good. We should not be happy at all, especially since the ¢18 billion you indicated is that of only public corporations and statutory institutions, the majority of which are SOEs. And for it to increase by 109% is something that should not be acceptable.”

He emphasised that 84.5% of the irregularities are deemed recoverable, yet there is no clear public report on what has actually been retrieved.

“The Auditor General said 84% is recoverable. He should be able to tell us how he’s going to recover, and the recoveries for the previous years… Before even putting this report out, indicate the recoveries he’s made from the previous year’s audit.

"So, for instance, the 2023 audit irregularity of ¢8.7 billion, he should tell us, out of the ¢8.7 billion, have been able to recovered ¢5 billion. Then it gives us hope.”

Dr. Osae, who left the Internal Audit Agency after championing several reforms, said the composition of the irregularities is itself disturbing.

“When you drill down into the composition of the irregularities, it includes what they call intergovernmental agency debt. I ask myself, how come we cannot have a simple reconciliation forum?

"For instance, if Ghana Water Company owes ECG for electricity consumed, ECG owes Ghana Water Company for water consumed. Can’t we have a simple reconciliation forum to resolve this issue?”

He also cited the District Assemblies Common Fund as recording a 317% jump in irregularities, from ¢49 million in 2023 to ¢205 million in 2024. Pre-tertiary education institutions also saw a 213% surge—from ¢7 million to ¢23 million.

“Now, when you look at these figures, it tells you that there is something fundamentally wrong with our system. This is not the issue of politicians.”

He argued that the real culprits often hide behind the curtain of bureaucracy.

“The politician may have a role to play in them, but the technical officers who see themselves as permanent government… no politician signs checks. The politicians approve, but the checks are signed by the finance officers and the chief directors who manage this system.”

Dr. Osae insisted that the Auditor-General must begin to use his powers to issue surcharges and enforce recoveries.

“What happened to the surcharge powers of the Auditor-General? The Auditor-General has the right to surcharge people and ensure that we can get some recoveries. So I think the laws are not being implemented well, and they are not biting.”

He accused the system of lacking the will to enforce existing laws.

“If we crack the whip and we get heads rolling. People appear before the Public Accounts Committee. Then, after that, the Public Accounts Committee will give directives. The Public Accounts Committee does not implement their own decisions. Attorney General will take over, and nothing happens.”

Pressed about past recoveries, Dr. Osae admitted: “No, I don’t, and that is what I want the Auditor General to give to Ghanaians. I know he’s done some recoveries, but we will need him to report the consolidated recoveries he’s made, especially in this particular report.”

He also drew comparisons to the tenure of former Auditor-General Daniel Domelevo.

“Dan will go the extra mile to save money and chase people to pay. And I respect him for that. And that is what I was doing at IA. I expect the Auditor-General not to look left, not to look right, but chase people.”

Dr. Osae warned that failing to recover the funds while running to the IMF was unsustainable.

“It is a no, no. We should not be seeing these figures and then run to the IMF as if there are no systems. He should be able to recover that.”