Former Auditor-General Daniel Yao Domelevo has called for the immediate suspension or interdiction of officials implicated in irregularities flagged in the latest report by the Auditor-General of Ghana, saying swift administrative action would demonstrate that misconduct in public service will not be tolerated.
His comments come amid growing public debate over the Auditor-General’s report on government arrears and payables for 2024, which has raised concerns about the handling of billions of cedis in claims submitted by contractors and suppliers.
Among the issues highlighted is the purchase of 10,000 metric tonnes of rice in 2024 that auditors say cannot be accounted for, raising questions about transparency in the distribution of food supplies intended to support communities during a dry spell.
The report also indicated that GH¢45.4 billion out of GH¢68.7 billion in claims submitted by contractors and suppliers had been validated for payment. However, auditors rejected GH¢8.1 billion after detecting irregularities, while GH¢13.3 billion remains under review due to missing documentation, contracts or third-party confirmations.
Speaking on Accra-based Citi FM on Saturday, March 14, 2026, Domelevo said officials cited in the report should face immediate administrative sanctions even before Parliament concludes any probe.
“Anybody who is found complicit in doing something wrong or any malpractice, the first thing we do is to suspend you or interdict you and investigate. If, after the investigations, you are not guilty, you are asked to return and continue your job,” he said.
Domelevo noted that parliamentary committees often lack the authority to directly enforce their recommendations, meaning any findings would ultimately require action by the executive branch.
He added that the Attorney-General would be responsible for investigating and prosecuting individuals found to have submitted fraudulent claims.
“The administrative sanctions alone will send a strong message to Ghanaians that it is not business as usual,” he said. “As Parliament continues its debate and the Attorney-General conducts investigations, the administrative sanctions should take the lead.”
According to him, swift disciplinary action would be the quickest way to demonstrate the government’s commitment to accountability while broader investigations proceed.
