The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has criticised the Finance Ministry for failing to release more than 40 per cent of funds approved for the Ghana Audit Service in the 2025 Budget, warning that the shortfall is undermining morale and potentially weakening the independence of the state’s auditors.

Speaking to journalists, the MP described the situation as a serious budget-execution failure that risks compromising public financial oversight.

“I wish to draw public attention to serious problems arising from the execution of the 2025 budget across the public sector, with specific implications for the Ghana Audit Service and its staff,” he said.

According to him, although Parliament approved GH¢838 million for the Service — including GH¢710 million earmarked for staff compensation — only 59 per cent of the allocation had been released by the third quarter of 2025.

Assafuah cited the 2026 Budget Review and the Parliamentary Committee’s assessment, which confirmed that more than 40 per cent of the approved funds were not released, adding that the situation mirrored funding gaps across several Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

“For example, the Right to Information Commission did not receive a penny to operate in 2025,” he noted, stressing that the broader funding challenge had also affected the Audit Service.

He explained that although validation for December 2025 salaries had been completed, outstanding arrears and allowances were excluded from the validation scope and therefore not captured for payment. “Each affected staff member is currently owed an average amount of approximately GH¢15,000, which many had planned to use for family and social obligations during the Christmas period,” he added.

The MP warned that the delay in payments has “negatively affected motivation, work commitment, and the spirit of patriotism,” especially within an institution whose independence is protected under Article 187 of the 1992 Constitution.

Assafuah also raised concerns about leadership and governance within the Service, claiming that some senior positions designated for Directors are being occupied in an acting capacity by officers who do not meet the promotion requirements outlined in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“This situation weakens confidence and institutional stability, particularly as the Agreement is due for review,” he said.

Despite the funding challenges, he applauded the Audit Service for completing 5,989 audits, submitting 15 Auditor-General’s reports, and facilitating the recovery of GH¢21.88 million for the state during the 2025 financial year.

He insisted that the issue was not one of budget approval but of poor budget execution. “The government will come to Parliament and seek budget approval, but its implementation is lacking largely because of inadequate releases,” he said.

Assafuah urged the Finance Ministry and other relevant authorities to provide clarity on the release gaps and ensure that constitutional bodies such as the Audit Service receive timely funding.

“We will not bask in comfort, nor will we relent in our efforts to hold the government accountable and advocate for the interests of civil servants,” he concluded.