Parliament Approves GH¢838.3 Million Budget for Audit Service

• Mar 28, 2025

Ghana’s Parliament has approved a GH¢838,369,865 budget for the Audit Service to support its operations for the 2025 financial year. The allocation will enable the service to conduct audits across government ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), metropolitan, municipal, and district assemblies (MMDAs), traditional councils, and educational institutions.

The budget includes GH¢710,735,897 for employee compensation, marking a 73.42% increase from the previous year. The rise in funding is aimed at recruiting 200 new staff members to enhance the service’s ability to ensure accountability and transparency.

Office Accommodation Challenges

Abena Osei Asare, the Member of Parliament (MP) for Atiwa East and Chairperson of the Public Accounts Committee, highlighted concerns over the limited presence of the Audit Service in districts nationwide. She noted that although the service should operate in 261 administrative districts, it currently has offices in only 98.

She also pointed out that many of these offices are either rented or provided by local assemblies, making them less than fully independent. Asare urged Parliament to increase the service’s capital expenditure to help it acquire permanent offices that are fit for purpose.

Need for Foreign Mission Audits

Asare further emphasized the importance of auditing Ghana’s foreign missions, which has been challenging due to financial constraints. She called for adequate funding to allow the Audit Service to convert part of its budget into foreign currency for travel and operational expenses.

She noted that several issues had been raised regarding Ghana’s missions abroad and stressed that proper audits would promote accountability. In 2025, the Audit Service plans to audit five Ghana Armed Forces peacekeeping operations abroad, highlighting the need for timely release of funds by the Ministry of Finance.

Budget Concerns Raised

The Minority Chief Whip, Frank Annoh-Dompreh, raised concerns about a GH¢13 million reduction in the Audit Service’s budget. He cited Article 187(6) of the 1992 Constitution, which requires Parliament to debate the Auditor-General’s Report and establish a committee to address financial irregularities.

He lamented that previous Parliaments had often failed to act on these reports, allowing financial infractions to go unchecked. However, he expressed hope that the new parliamentary leadership would strengthen oversight and ensure accountability in audit processes.