The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has directed the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to submit officials for prosecution over unapproved expenditure amounting to more than GH¢180 million in 2023.
According to the Auditor-General’s report, ECG exceeded its budget in 13 expenditure categories without the approval of its board, resulting in excess spending of GH¢189.2 million. The irregular expenditures covered areas such as staff fuel, communication, consultancy, and stakeholder-related expenses.
During a public hearing at Parliament House on Tuesday, the Ranking Member of the PAC, Mr Samuel Atta-Mills, expressed strong disapproval of the company’s financial conduct, describing it as blatant indiscipline.
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“Staff fuel—did they drive around the world? The budget was GH¢2.8 million; you spent GH¢3.6 million. ECG’s communication expenses were GH¢4.2 million, but you spent GH¢7.9 million. Consultancy, the budget was GH¢40 million, but you spent GH¢58.6 million. Stakeholders’ expenses, your budget was GH¢3.1 million, and you spent GH¢49 million, and you want to increase our tariffs,” he said.
Mr Atta-Mills recommended that the managers responsible be referred to the Attorney General for prosecution, stressing the need to enforce fiscal discipline. “Those managers who were involved, I’m recommending that they face the Attorney General for prosecution,” he stated.
The PAC’s directive underscores Parliament’s commitment to promoting accountability and responsible financial management within state-owned enterprises.
The move follows ongoing public concern over ECG’s financial management practices and their effect on the power sector.
Responding to the Committee, ECG’s acting Managing Director, Mr Julius Kpekpena, admitted that the company had indeed overspent in some areas but assured that corrective measures had been implemented to strengthen internal financial controls.
