The World Bank’s Country Director in Ghana, Robert Taliercio O'Brien, has reaffirmed the institution's strict measures against the misuse of funds by the government.

Speaking on Joy News’ PM Express Business Edition, he noted "If we find that there is a misuse of funds, we will ask for the funds to be reimbursed to us."

When asked who bears the responsibility for repaying the misused funds, Robert O'Brien stated, "That's an issue for government to work through."

He further explained that while the World Bank has its systems in place, fiduciary management and control remain a top priority.

"We take this extremely seriously," Robert O'Brien stressed.

"We don’t sanction governments, but we do sanction private firms. If we find a firm engaging in corruption, we will sanction them."

The World Bank maintains a publicly accessible list of firms that have been sanctioned for corrupt practices, underscoring its commitment to transparency.

Robert O'Brien acknowledged that corruption is a global issue, stating, "Even in my own country, there are instances of corruption."

However, he stated that the key is in how these cases are addressed—through justice and strengthening of systems.

"We’re focusing on how to strengthen the systems," he said.

In discussing Ghana's fight against corruption, Robert O'Brien described it as an ongoing challenge, noting that it is a universal issue, including in Ghana.

In April 2020, the World Bank provided $100 million to Ghana to assist in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic.

This funding was part of a broader financing package designed to offer short, medium, and long-term support, including $35 million in emergency assistance through the Ghana Emergency Preparedness and Response Project (EPRP).

The funds were intended to help prevent, detect, and respond to the pandemic.

However, an Auditor-General’s report later flagged irregularities in the management of some COVID-19 funds, highlighting cases of mismanagement by public officials.

Despite this, the government was vindicated concerning the funds it received from the World Bank during the period.

In June 2023, Frank Pierre Laporte, the World Bank’s Country Director in Ghana at the time, affirmed that the $430 million contributed by the Bank to Ghana’s pandemic response was not misused.

He confirmed that the funds were spent in accordance with procurement requirements and had undergone a thorough audit.

Frank Laporte also mentioned that the Bank is developing a future financing plan to prepare for potential risks.