The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed that officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) responsible for unauthorized spending amounting to over GHC180 million in 2023 be referred to the Attorney General for prosecution.

The directive follows revelations from the Auditor-General’s 2023 report, which showed that ECG exceeded its approved expenditure on at least 13 budget items without approval from its governing board.

During the PAC sitting on Tuesday, October 28, Ranking Member Samuel Atta-Mills described the conduct as a clear case of financial indiscipline and a violation of corporate governance procedures.

According to the report, ECG budgeted GHC2.8 million for staff fuel, GHC4.2 million for communication, GHC40 million for consultancy, and GHC3.1 million for stakeholder engagement. However, actual expenditure ballooned to GHC3.6 million, GHC7.9 million, GHC58.6 million, and GHC49 million respectively, all without the board’s consent.

Mr. Atta-Mills expressed outrage at the figures, questioning the justification for such excessive spending.

“Staff fuel, did they drive around the world? The budget was GHC2.8 million, and you spent GHC3.6 million. Communication expenses, you budgeted GHC4.2 million but spent GHC7.9 million. Consultancy, GHC40 million was approved, but you used GHC58.6 million. Stakeholders’ expenses, from GHC3.1 million to GHC49 million, and you still want to increase tariffs?” he said.

The Ranking Member called for strict accountability, insisting that the managers responsible for the overruns be prosecuted to deter similar violations in the future.

PAC Chair Abena Osei Asare also urged ECG to strengthen its internal financial controls and ensure that all expenditures receive proper board authorization before implementation.