Akosombo (Eastern Region), 9 Nov., Members of Parliament at a review workshop on the economy have expressed concern about what they called ''alarming disparities'' between budgetary estimates and actuals. This, they said, has given rise to the belief that government estimates are unrealistic. They also expressed concern about over-expenditure resulting in huge deficits and macro-economic problems, saying these are the result of unrealistic budget planning. The MP's, therefore, urged the relevant agencies and appropriate Committees of the House, like the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), to be more vigilant in government expenditure, monitoring and control. These were contained in a group report at the end of a three-day workshop held at Akosombo for some 20 members of the PAC. The group was chaired by Dr. Kofi Apraku, Minority spokesman on Finance, who was assisted by Mr. Thomas K. Yeboah (NDC-Dormaa West). The workshop was under the auspices of the Canadian Parliamentary Centre (CPC), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank, and the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). It aimed to provide expert information to members of the PAC on the budget and finance priorities arising out of the National Economic Forum held in Accra last September. The group tasked Parliament to ensure that estimates presented to it by the minister of Finance are close to ''reality'' by scrutinizing them with actuals and new projections. It is also incumbent on the House to ensure, as a mandatory requirement, that the minister of Finance submits mid-year reviews of the state of the economy. The report called for the strengthening of the technical competency of the Public Accounts and the Finance Committees to enable them to assert their influence on expenditure control and continuous monitoring of the economy. It proposed that, through the two Committees, Parliament should institute a system for the discussion and fusion of ideas on expenditure from the Ministry of Finance, Governor of Central Bank, Controller and Accountant-General, Auditor-General (A-G) and some economic think-tanks and civil groups. The participants expressed the belief that such regular discussions have the potential of inculcating the necessary commitment towards expenditure monitoring and control in the stakeholders. The group noted that the PAC, through its traditional role of examining and recommending corrective measures on the A-G's annual report covering Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA's) as well as District Assemblies, had brought about a significant improvement in their operations. As a result of its effective investigations, ''so many DCE's, District Coordinators and Finance Officers have vowed to make sure they do not appear before the Public Accounts Committee again''. However, the group has identified lack of access to data and information on expenditure patterns and logistical support as major constraints facing the PAC and called for attention from the relevant authorities. To improve its performance and achieve its objectives in the next 12 months, the Members proposed, among others, that the PAC should submit a quarterly statement to the House on pertinent issues that come before it. In his comments, the Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. John Schram, urged the MP's, particularly, Members of the PAC, to press on with their role in the democratic system. ''In a democratic, parliamentary system, your committee is the citizen's financial disciplinarian. On behalf of all Ghanaians, it is you who must keep Parliament front and centre in the finances of government....It is you who have to keep public officials accountable and efficient,'' Mr. Schram said of the PAC. He expressed the hope that the workshop would boost Members' professionalism, knowledge and skills. ''The results will be there for all to see: there will be more vigorous debates in the Committee, and there will be more productive discussions in Parliament,'' he added. Others who took part in the exchanges were Mr. Moses Asaga, MP and deputy Minister-designate of Finance, and Mr. J.H. Mensah, Minority leader who is also the Chairman of the PAC.
Akosombo (Eastern Region), 9 Nov., Members of Parliament at a review workshop on the economy have expressed concern about what they called ''alarming disparities'' between budgetary estimates and actuals. This, they said, has given rise to the belief that government estimates are unrealistic. They also expressed concern about over-expenditure resulting in huge deficits and macro-economic problems, saying these are the result of unrealistic budget planning. The MP's, therefore, urged the relevant agencies and appropriate Committees of the House, like the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), to be more vigilant in government expenditure, monitoring and control. These were contained in a group report at the end of a three-day workshop held at Akosombo for some 20 members of the PAC. The group was chaired by Dr. Kofi Apraku, Minority spokesman on Finance, who was assisted by Mr. Thomas K. Yeboah (NDC-Dormaa West). The workshop was under the auspices of the Canadian Parliamentary Centre (CPC), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), Economic Development Institute (EDI) of the World Bank, and the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA). It aimed to provide expert information to members of the PAC on the budget and finance priorities arising out of the National Economic Forum held in Accra last September. The group tasked Parliament to ensure that estimates presented to it by the minister of Finance are close to ''reality'' by scrutinizing them with actuals and new projections. It is also incumbent on the House to ensure, as a mandatory requirement, that the minister of Finance submits mid-year reviews of the state of the economy. The report called for the strengthening of the technical competency of the Public Accounts and the Finance Committees to enable them to assert their influence on expenditure control and continuous monitoring of the economy. It proposed that, through the two Committees, Parliament should institute a system for the discussion and fusion of ideas on expenditure from the Ministry of Finance, Governor of Central Bank, Controller and Accountant-General, Auditor-General (A-G) and some economic think-tanks and civil groups. The participants expressed the belief that such regular discussions have the potential of inculcating the necessary commitment towards expenditure monitoring and control in the stakeholders. The group noted that the PAC, through its traditional role of examining and recommending corrective measures on the A-G's annual report covering Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA's) as well as District Assemblies, had brought about a significant improvement in their operations. As a result of its effective investigations, ''so many DCE's, District Coordinators and Finance Officers have vowed to make sure they do not appear before the Public Accounts Committee again''. However, the group has identified lack of access to data and information on expenditure patterns and logistical support as major constraints facing the PAC and called for attention from the relevant authorities. To improve its performance and achieve its objectives in the next 12 months, the Members proposed, among others, that the PAC should submit a quarterly statement to the House on pertinent issues that come before it. In his comments, the Canadian High Commissioner, Mr. John Schram, urged the MP's, particularly, Members of the PAC, to press on with their role in the democratic system. ''In a democratic, parliamentary system, your committee is the citizen's financial disciplinarian. On behalf of all Ghanaians, it is you who must keep Parliament front and centre in the finances of government....It is you who have to keep public officials accountable and efficient,'' Mr. Schram said of the PAC. He expressed the hope that the workshop would boost Members' professionalism, knowledge and skills. ''The results will be there for all to see: there will be more vigorous debates in the Committee, and there will be more productive discussions in Parliament,'' he added. Others who took part in the exchanges were Mr. Moses Asaga, MP and deputy Minister-designate of Finance, and Mr. J.H. Mensah, Minority leader who is also the Chairman of the PAC.
