PAC Holds Public Hearing, Pays Tribute to Late Environment Minister

Accra: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament, at a public hearing on Tuesday in Accra, has paid tribute to the late Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohamed, immediate past Environment Minister, who perished in a helicopter crash two weeks ago. The late Minister was a member of the PAC in the Eighth Parliament.According to Ghana News Agency, the committee, chaired by Madam Abena Osei Asare, the New Patriotic Party Member of Parliament (MP) for Atiwa East, met to consider the Auditor-General's report on Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for the year ended December 31, 2024. The hearing featured appearances from the National Information Technology Agency (NITA), the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Cyber Security, and the Office of the Head of Civil Service.Before proceeding with the hearing, the committee held a moment of silence to pay tribute to the late Environment Minister, Alhaji Dr. Ibrah im Murtala Mohammed, who perished in a helicopter crash two weeks ago along with seven others. In her opening remarks, PAC Chairperson Madam Osei Asare assured the public that the Committee would continue the good work of her predecessor, Mr. James Klutse Avedzi, a former National Democratic Congress MP for Ketu North, emphasising that the PAC hearings were a vital national duty to protect the public purse.She, however, recused herself from the Committee's consideration of the 2024 Auditor-General's Report to avoid a conflict-of-interest situation, given her previous role in an official government capacity under the erstwhile administration. She announced: 'Ranking Member Mr. Samuel Atta-Mills, MP for Komenda Edina Eguafo Abrem, will chair the proceedings.'The six-day public hearing will scrutinise the Auditor-General's Report, which highlighted significant issues, including Ghana's public debt and weaknesses in financial reporting and asset management.