August 19, 2018
Ministry of Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs failed to record fuel purchased worth forty-five thousand, four hundred and eighty-six, sixty- five pesewa (GHc 45,486.65) as pointed out in the Auditor General’s report for Ministries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) 2016.

This came to light at the on-going Public Account Commit, public hearing which is in its fourth day of public hearing.

Stores regulations 1604 required that a log book be maintained for each government vehicle in which journeys are undertaken, whiles regulations 1605 mandates head of department ensure that the rate of consumption of fuel and oil is computed monthly.

Member of Parliament for Komenda/Edina/Eguafo/Abrem, Samuel Atta-Mills was unhappy with the development and pointed out that as much as twenty-one vehicles were involved.

The Chief Director of the Ministry, Benjamin Afful who represented the Minister and his Deputy indicated to the Public Account Committee (PAC) that the issue reported on by the Auditor General was administrative lapses and has hence been addressed.

He further pointed out that some were recorded and some were not recorded and when questioned by Dr. Clement Apaak, a member of the committee as to what measures had been put in place to curb such occurrence in the future, Mr. Benjamin Afful pointed out that now all vehicles in the Ministry have log books and an assistant Director had been put in charge of the log books and pool of vehicles going forward, the Ministry had only one infraction in the 2016 AG’s report.

By: Kwaku Sakyi-Danso/ghanamps.com