News:
May 2, 2017
Contrary to media report of 40,000 tonnes of bauxite exported by Ghana Export Company Limited, not captured in 2015 audit report, investigation and a letter cited by ghanamps.com, addressed to chairman of Public Account Committee(PAC) by Bank of Ghana reveal that, the $41.5 million bauxite was captured in the report.
In an interview with the chairman of committee, he pointed out that, because bauxite was not given narrative written header like gold and manganese, hence the confusion. But the $41.5 million dollars bauxite was embedded in Non-traditional exports figures of $263,988, 205 billion dollars.
Whiles it was captured in page 32 of the Auditor-General’s statement of foreign exchange receipts and payment of the Bank of Ghana half-year ended 30th June 2015, table schedule 17 earnings from dealer commercial banks. And page 33 table 18 of half –year ended 31st December 2015 $131,402, 542 billion dollars.
He further lamented that, if his advice to the media not rush in publishing their story and wait for the Bank of Ghana’s response to the 40, 000 tonnes of bauxite not captured controversy could have been avoided.
Hon. James Klutse Avedzi, early directed the central bank to furnish the committee with information indicating audited report capturing export of more than 40,000 tonnes of bauxite not captured.
Member of Parliament (MP) for Efutu, Hon. Alexander Afenyo-Markin drew the attention of the committee to the anomaly at its first sitting, when it was considering the Auditor General’s report on statement of foreign exchange receipts of the central bank. For the half year ended 30th June 2015 and half year ended 31st December 2015.
Second Deputy Governor of the BoG, Dr. Johnson Asiama, early led a team of directors from the bank to the first sitting of PAC, of the seventh Parliament of the fourth Republic.
Food and Drugs Authority were bill to appear before the Public Accounts Committee, but could not make, chairman of the Committee reveal to ghanamps.com, his committee will take the FDA when the House returns from recess and take on other reports of the Auditor-General.
But was quick to point out that, the PAC will work hard to ensure that institutions that wait till when they are bill to appear before the committee they rush to pay public funds they have taken unlawfully, pay interest on them.
By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com