PAC refers KATH, Ridge Hospital, 10 others to AG for prosecution

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has referred 12 public institutions, including the Komfo Anokye and Ridge Teaching Hospitals, to the Attorney General (AG) for immediate prosecution after failing to recover funds flagged in the Auditor-General’s report.

The decision follows the institutions’ refusal to comply with a firm PAC directive to retrieve specified amounts of misused public funds within 30 days.

The committee’s action, announced on Monday, November 3, marks a decisive step in Parliament’s renewed push to strengthen accountability in the public sector.

Ranking Member of the PAC and MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem, Samuel Atta-Mills, said the committee would not hesitate to prosecute those who defied its orders.

“I would recommend those people who haven’t responded or done it within 30 days; I’ll recommend all of them to the Attorney General for prosecution. It’s just that simple,” he said.

He added, “All these people, we are recommending them for prosecution, and it’s just that simple. We’ll wait on those who have 60 days and 90 days. Maybe they would like to enjoy sitting in court. I would recommend all of them for prosecution.”

The committee’s stance was influenced by an update from Michael Addo, Assistant Auditor General at the Ghana Audit Service, who reported that several heads of institutions had failed to recover the full amounts lost through financial infractions such as unretired imprest, unearned salaries, and questionable payments.

Their failure to comply with the PAC’s directive, a key enforcement tool under the Public Financial Management Act, triggered the constitutional provision allowing referral to the Attorney General for prosecution.

The 12 institutions, drawn from various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, are believed to have caused financial losses amounting to tens of millions of Ghana cedis. The full list has been formally transmitted to the Attorney General’s office for further action.

The PAC’s move, grounded in Article 187(5) of the 1992 Constitution, transforms what were once routine audit infractions into potential criminal cases against public officials.

The Attorney General’s Department is expected to review the evidence submitted by the PAC and the Audit Service and initiate criminal proceedings against culpable officials.

The prosecution of management and officers of key institutions like Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital and Ridge Hospital aims to deter future financial misconduct and ensure the recovery of misused public funds vital to critical sectors such as healthcare and education.