Ato Forson demands accountability from public officials over state funds

Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has charged public officials to recover all outstanding public funds and account for every cedi entrusted to them in the management of state resources.

He said officials responsible for managing public finances must ensure that every recoverable amount is retrieved and properly accounted for, stressing that the resources belong to the people of Ghana.

“So let us recover every cedi that is recoverable! Let us account for every cedi that is entrusted to us as public officials,” Dr Forson stated.

He made the remarks at an engagement on the Auditor-General’s Report attended by regional ministers and metropolitan, municipal and district chief executives (MMDCEs).

Dr Forson reminded the officials that their responsibility was to safeguard public funds on behalf of citizens, rather than treat the resources as their personal property.

“Public money does not belong to government officials; we are only the custodians of those resources.

'Clean conscience guides my work' - Dr Ato Forson

“Those resources belong to the people of Ghana: Our constituents, our citizens!,” he indicated.

Dr Forson further called for stronger financial management systems to prevent the recurring loss or misuse of public resources.

He stressed that public institutions must move beyond recovering funds after financial irregularities have occurred and put measures in place to prevent such situations.

“But above all, let us build systems where recovery becomes the exception, not an annual ritual,” he said.

His comments come amid discussions on the Auditor-General’s Report and the need to strengthen accountability in the management of public funds.

MRA/VPO

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