We’re not on witch-hunting mission – PAC tells public officials

Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament, James Klutse Avedzi, has allayed possible fears public officials of witch-hunting as the Committee began its work Tuesday to consider some reports of the country’s Auditor Genera for the year 2015.

He explained that the mandate of the Committee is purely to ascertain the truth or otherwise of the issues raised by the Auditor General in its reports referred to it by the Speaker of Parliament for consideration, 3FM’s Mercydalyne Lokko reported.

“I wish to state empathically that this committee meeting is not witch-hunting; it is not a witch-hunting exercise. Our mission is to ascertain the truth of the issue raised by the Auditor General in its report,” Mr Avedzi assured.

In his remark at the first public hearing of the seventh parliament of the fourth republic, the Chairman however cautioned officials who will appear before the Committee to desist from making false statement or providing wrong information, warning it could attract legal consequences.

“You’re however reminded that you’re before the committee to respond to queries raised by members under oath. Peddling of falsehood or deliberate misinformation could have legal consequences.

“You’re therefore advised to speak to things and if you do not have any information or you are not aware or sure of the information, please say so. We are open to frank discussions,” he told the witnesses.

The Public Account Committee is one of the accountability mechanisms established under the 1992 constitutions to ensure that public officials entrusted with public funds properly accounts for the resources under their custody.

The Committee is expected consider the report of the Auditor General on the statement of foreign exchange receipts and payments of BOG for the half year ended 31 June, 2015 and half year ended 31 December 2015.

It will also look at the report of the Auditor General of the disposal of government vehicles by MoFA and the GHS, Report of the Auditor General on ensuring of safety and quality of medicine use in Ghana.

“The sittings also allow the representatives of the people (MPs) to scrutinize the policy choices of the public officers to ascertain if the choices are efficient, effective and economical,” Mr Avedzi stated.