If they is any consolation in the Auditor General’s report for Ghanaians, it is that this country is rich indeed, if not, the wanton and reckless misuse of state funds, would have grounded this country to a halt.
The Auditor-General, has released the 2022 report and to say that the findings are mind boggling is to suggest that one is just coming from another planet. Covid, which has been widely quoted by state actors, as one of the chief reasons, why the economy is in tatters, had ¢21,844,189,185.24, mobilized to fight it not properly accounted for.
Every year, like a ritual that it has become, the A-G’s report will be released, we will all be shocked about the findings, we will discuss it, urge relevant institutions to go after those mentioned to have misappropriated funds, no one will be held accountable and the cycle begins again the following year.
As a country, we have developed a habit of reward, but not punishment, so everyone who has been put in charge of any state institution and has the privilege to spend our scarce resources, usually does so with impunity.
As a newspaper, we are appalled that, the same energy spent to discuss the report is not the same energy we spend in ensuring that those the A-G, has cited in the report for financial infractions are held responsible.
If Ghanaians are to take the Office of the Special Prosecutor serious, this report is a test case for Kissi Agyabeng and his staff to prove that, the office is worth the debated it generated to set it up.
This newspaper, thus calls on the special prosecutor to take the report and read it like a Bible, his office must set an example by putting some people to court. This will serve as a deterrent to others, who will be thinking that, the money of the State, has no checks and balances and so one can dissipate it with impunity.
This year’s report is no different from last year’s and the year before, what should make the difference must be that for the first time, some people will be hauled to court to answer for their crimes.
Finally, it is our view that so much is at stake in this report, because it exposes serious failings in how public funds are managed in Ghana.
