GH¢12.9 bn recovery: PAC Chair Abena Osei-Asare defends committee’s impact – Nsemkeka
The Chairperson of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Abena Osei-Asare, has defended the committee’s effectiveness and the critical work of the Audit Service, asserting that their combined efforts have demonstrably yielded significant financial recoveries for the nation.
In an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show (SMS) today, Monday, June 7, 2025, Mrs Osei-Asare countered public scepticism surrounding the PAC’s impact, providing concrete figures to underscore its importance.
“Nobody can tell me the impact of PAC hasn’t been felt,” Mrs Osei-Asare, also the MP for Atiwa-East, declared, responding to persistent questions about the committee’s ability to enforce recommendations and achieve closure on audit infractions.
The former Deputy Minister of Finance revealed that, based on a recent report submitted by the Auditor-General to Parliament, the collaborative efforts of the Audit Service and the PAC have led to the recovery of a staggering GH¢12.9 billion in public funds.
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This substantial sum, which could, for instance, fund over 80% of Ghana’s annual healthcare budget or significantly boost its educational infrastructure, serves as powerful evidence of their critical oversight function.
Addressing concerns about chairing a committee that audits her own government, Mrs Osei-Asare reiterated her commitment to serving the national interest.
“It is not about auditing government A or government B; it’s about protecting the public purse. That is not negotiable,” she emphasised, pledging to prioritise the efficient and effective management of Ghanaian taxpayer money.
While celebrating these recoveries, Mrs Osei-Asare stressed that the ultimate goal extends beyond retrieving lost funds to preventing infractions in the first place.
She advocated for strengthening key institutions, particularly audit agencies, which, despite their crucial mandate to enhance public financial management, have often faced challenges regarding their independence and resourcing.
She called for the audit service to be granted greater autonomy and equipped with adequate resources to effectively scrutinise ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) and preempt financial malpractices.