The Acting Minister for Defence, Hon. Cassiel Atto Forson, has expressed concern over what he describes as a recurring pattern of financial irregularities in some government ministries, attributing the trend largely to the absence of functional audit committees. According to him, these gaps in oversight have directly contributed to cases of misappropriation and the loss of public funds that could otherwise have been used to improve national security and other critical services.
Speaking at the inauguration of the newly constituted Audit Committee for the Ministry of Defence, Hon. Forson highlighted examples cited in the Auditor-General’s report to illustrate the seriousness of the issue. He noted that at one point, the Ministry of Defence authorized payments for the procurement of vehicles intended to support the ministry’s operations. However, the vehicles were never delivered, raising serious questions about accountability, contract enforcement, and internal monitoring mechanisms.
He emphasized that such incidents demonstrate the urgent need for strong internal audit structures within ministries and agencies to ensure that public funds are protected and utilized for their intended purposes. Hon. Forson added that an effective audit committee would not only help prevent financial misconduct but also improve public confidence in the management of state resources. He urged members of the newly inaugurated committee to carry out their mandate diligently, stressing that their work is critical to promoting transparency and safeguarding national assets.
Also speaking at the event, the Director-General of the Internal Audit Service, Mr. Thomas Thomson-Ayi, assured the public that the service is committed to tightening internal controls across all government institutions. He pledged that additional measures—including improved monitoring systems, stricter compliance checks, and enhanced collaboration with various ministries—will be implemented to curb misappropriation in the future. Mr. Thomson-Ayi reiterated that the Internal Audit Service is determined to ensure that incidents such as undelivered procurement items do not recur, adding that the Service will continue to champion reforms that strengthen financial governance and accountability in the public sector.
