Accra: The Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH) has been ordered by the Auditor-General to cease unauthorized salary payments, having allegedly spent GHS14 million from its internally generated funds over a 13-month period from 2022 to 2024, in violation of the Public Financial Management Act (PFMA).
According to Ghana News Agency, the Auditor-General's report indicates that KBTH is grappling with significant financial management issues and has yet to recover the spent amount. This revelation came to light during the public hearing of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament in Accra.
On Monday, September 29, PAC reconvened to continue its public hearings, reviewing the Auditor-General's report for the year ending December 31, 2024. From Monday through Wednesday, October 1, the Committee is set to scrutinize various government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs) for alleged financial irregularities.
Among the ministries appearing before the committee are the Ghana Statistical Service, Ministry of Health, Ghana Health Service, Ministry for the Interior, Ministry of Justice and Attorney General's Department, and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs. Also included are the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Art, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, and the Ministry of Transport.
The PAC's scrutiny of the Auditor-General's report underscores the Committee's commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in government financial dealings.
Additionally, KBTH has allegedly been found liable for judgment debt payments totaling GHS113,500 due to two cases of negligence involving health personnel. These cases involve an overdose of medication to a deceased person and the swapping of mortal remains of a deceased patient. The hospital has been ordered to recover the amount, as stated in the report.
The Auditor-General's findings have raised concerns about the hospital's financial management practices and adherence to regulatory frameworks. In response, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has stressed the importance of transparency and accountability in managing public funds.
As a result, the Finance Ministry is actively working to ensure that government institutions comply with financial regulations and recover unauthorized payments. The government has also pledged to take swift action to eliminate 'ghost names' and close financial loopholes, thereby restoring integrity to public financial management.
