Not a single pesewa will be paid to contractors without an audit – Finance minister

The Minister of Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has stated that no contractor will be paid without a thorough audit by the Office of the Auditor-General.

According to him, the government currently owes over GH¢67 billion in arrears across 23 ministries to various contractors.

He made this remark during a meeting with Chief Directors and senior officials of various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies.

The minister emphasised the importance of transparency and accountability in the management of government arrears.

He stated, “As I pledged to Parliament, no payment will be made until a full audit is completed. To this end, I have directed all Chief Directors to work with the Auditor-General, ensuring that he has everything necessary to conduct a comprehensive audit.

“The Auditor-General has been given ample time to complete this process. During this period, I request full cooperation and complete disclosure. Nothing must be withheld. Not a single pesewa will be paid without the Auditor-General’s explicit endorsement.”

Dr. Ato Forson added that the Auditor-General has also been tasked with verifying which claims have valid commencement warrants.

“This is critical. I must also reiterate: I have not paid a single contractor, and I do not intend to do so until the audit is concluded. We owe it to the people of Ghana to manage public funds with the highest level of integrity and discipline. That begins with clarity, audits, and responsible decision-making,” he emphasised.

SSD/MA

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