Renowned anti-corruption crusader and campaigner Edem Senanu has delivered a scathing critique of Ghana’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), warning that its high-profile public hearings often generate public outrage but fail to deliver meaningful follow-up actions.
Speaking on Ahotor FM’s morning show hosted by Citizen Kofi Owusu, Senanu described the lack of accountability after PAC sessions as the “weakest link” in the nation’s battle against graft. “We have these engagements where issues are identified, but the follow-up, who gets sanctioned, who refunds the money, who ensures justice is woefully inadequate,” he stated emphatically.
Senanu argued that without transparent outcomes, such as public disclosures of prosecutions, jail terms, or recovered funds, Ghanaians are left with the impression that the process is mere theater. “If we announced that certain individuals will face jail time, others will be hauled to court, and stolen money will be retrieved, it would signal real progress,” he added. “Right now, it’s a platform that gets us upset, but delivers no results.”
He pointed to a glaring example from recent PAC hearings: the case of the former procurement director at the Ministry of Defence. The official was accused of authorizing the purchase of six vehicles worth GH¢4.8 million, yet the vehicles never materialized. Despite denying the allegations, the director could not produce the cars or account for the funds. PAC urged the Attorney General to investigate and potentially prosecute, but Senanu questioned the resolve. Mr Senanu said Six months from now we should hear something so that Ghanaians risk hearing no resolution, leaving the impression that PAC sessions are mere time-wasting exercises rather than effective accountability mechanisms.
This criticism comes amid ongoing PAC probes into high-profile financial irregularities, including audits revealing billions of cedis in questionable expenditures across government agencies. He said “Ghanaians deserve satisfaction that we’re not wasting time with hearings people must face sanctions, and assets must be retrieved to restore faith in our institutions,” he concluded.
Mr Senanu said Six months from now we should hear something so that Ghanaians risk hearing no resolution, leaving the impression that PAC sessions are mere time-wasting exercises rather than effective accountability mechanisms. He urged stronger enforcement to ensure public satisfaction and real progress in the fight against graft.
Story by: Mercy Addai Turkson#ahotorfmonline.com
