A recent report from the 2023 Auditor General’s office revealed that the Education Ministry was responsible for more than half of the procurement irregularities recorded in the public accounts of Ghana. Out of the total GH₵53.7 million of irregularities, a staggering GH₵29.6 million, representing 55% of all irregularities, originated from the Education Ministry.
It is important to note that these procurement irregularities were not directly from the Education Ministry itself but rather from various institutions under its jurisdiction. One significant case highlighted in the report was at the University of Cape Coast, where contracts for building construction were awarded for GH¢24,207,250.47. However, these contracts were later increased by GH¢25,068,241.13 to GH¢49,275,491.55, showing an average variation of 104%.
This increase in contract value was done without the required approval from the Central Tender Review Committee, thus violating Section 87 of the Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663). The management of the university did not respond to these findings, prompting the Auditor General to recommend sanctions under Section 92 of the Act for the responsible officers and urged the university’s management to strictly adhere to the Procurement Act in the future.
Another case mentioned in the report was from the Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED) where contracts totaling GH¢414,214.34 were awarded to two firms without the necessary licenses from regulatory bodies like the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA), the Pharmacy Council, and Manufacturer’s Authorization. This also contravened the Procurement Act.
The Ministry was found to be involved in all types of irregularities listed by the Auditor General, including Outstanding Debtors, Cash Irregularities, Payroll Irregularities, Tax Irregularities, Procurement Irregularities, and Contract Irregularities. The total irregularities recorded by the Ministry amounted to GHS 54.7 million.
