NDC runs from GHS68bn audit probe

A major accountability exercise in the legislature has been thrown into uncertainty, with the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) forced to reschedule its probe into a controversial GH₵68 billion audit amid what critics describe as a strategic withdrawal by Majority members aligned with the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC).

The development has intensified political tensions in the Parliament of Ghana, where the committee’s work was abruptly halted due to the absence of a quorum—raising questions about commitment to transparency in one of the most significant financial investigations in recent years.

PAC Reschedules Crucial Hearing

Chairperson of the committee, Abena Osei-Asare, has announced that the probe will now resume on Monday, March 30, 2026, and run through Thursday, April 2, during Parliament’s recess.

Speaking in an interview on JoyNews’ The Pulse on March 25, she admitted that the initial three-week timeline set for the investigation is no longer feasible.

According to her, repeated interruptions in parliamentary proceedings have significantly derailed the committee’s schedule.

Despite these setbacks, she maintained that the PAC remains committed to executing its mandate and called for full cooperation from all sides to ensure accountability in the use of public funds.

Dramatic Walkout Halts Proceedings

The rescheduling follows a dramatic disruption during an earlier sitting of the committee, where Majority members reportedly withdrew midway through proceedings. The move left the committee without the minimum number of members required to continue, forcing an abrupt suspension of the hearing barely an hour and a half after it began.

The absence has been widely interpreted by the Minority as a deliberate attempt by the NDC to frustrate the probe into the GH₵68 billion audit—an allegation that has further deepened partisan divisions within Parliament.

Sources indicate that the withdrawal was linked to competing demands in the plenary chamber, where urgent government business was underway at the same time.

GH₵68 Billion Audit

The audit report at the centre of the controversy was submitted to Parliament on March 10, 2026, by the Ministry of Finance through Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem, acting on behalf of Finance Minister Cassiel Ato Forson.

The report details alleged irregularities involving GH₵68.7 billion in government arrears and payables as of the end of 2024. Among the key concerns raised are suspected falsified records, questionable payment claims, and inconsistencies in financial documentation.

Following its presentation, First Deputy Speaker Bernard Ahiafor referred the report to the PAC for a thorough investigation, directing the committee to complete its work within three weeks.

Quorum Crisis And Institutional Strain

The halted sitting also exposed structural challenges within Parliament’s scheduling system. The PAC session, initially planned for March 24, had already been rescheduled once to accommodate parliamentary business.

However, the overlap between committee sittings and plenary proceedings created a conflict that ultimately undermined the committee’s ability to function effectively.

Reports suggest that the Majority Whip instructed members to prioritise attendance in the chamber, leading to a significant drop in numbers at the PAC sitting.

This prompted Abena Osei-Asare to formally seek guidance from the Speaker, expressing concern over the repeated disruptions and their impact on the committee’s constitutional responsibilities.

Calls For Better Coordination

In response to the incident, Acting Speaker Bernard Ahiafor has directed caucus leaders and committee chairpersons to improve coordination between parliamentary activities to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Under parliamentary rules, at least one-third of members must be present to commence proceedings, while a two-thirds majority is required for decisions—thresholds that were not met during the disrupted sitting.

The Minority has since raised concerns over what it describes as a pattern of low turnout for critical government business, urging leadership to take decisive steps to address the issue.

High Stakes For Public Accountability

The PAC is not only examining the GH₵68 billion arrears but also reviewing accounts managed by the Accountant-General and findings from a broader forensic audit commissioned by the government.

With billions of cedis at stake and allegations of financial mismanagement hanging in the balance, the outcome of the probe is expected to have far-reaching implications for the fiscal governance.