The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has taken a firm stance against public institutions that fail to recover public funds. In a recent development, the PAC has referred 12 institutions, including the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) and Ridge Hospital (Greater Accra Regional Hospital), to the Attorney General for prosecution. This decision comes as a result of the institutions' non-compliance with a 30-day deadline set by the Committee to retrieve and account for funds flagged as financial losses in the Auditor-General's report. The Committee's action marks a significant shift in Parliament's approach to financial discipline, moving from issuing audit queries to initiating criminal proceedings against non-compliant officials. The move was prompted by a briefing from the Assistant Auditor-General, who highlighted the institutions' failure to retrieve funds lost through infractions such as unearned salaries and unauthorized payments, even after a month-long grace period. The PAC's decision is a clear message that public institutions must take responsibility for managing public funds and that non-compliance will not be tolerated. The full list of affected institutions, including leading public hospitals, has been forwarded to the Attorney General's office for further action. This development serves as a reminder of the importance of financial accountability in the public sector and the need for institutions to adhere to legal directives.
