Audit of the Government Of Ghana Covid-19 Expenditure for the Period March 2020 to June 2022.

The Ministry wishes to commend the Auditor General on the publication of the Special Audit Report of Government of Ghana Covid-19 expenditure which was commissioned by the Minister for Finance on 14th July 2022 and the timely release of the Audit report.

The Ministry wishes to provide the following background and clarifications to some aspects of the report, with the objective of enhancing public appreciation of the issues raised in the report:

1. The audit report confirms total resources mobilized for the Covid-19 response over the period March 2020 to June 2022 at GH¢21,844,189,185.24.
    
2. As indicated on page 7, paragraph 18 of the report, the funds mobilized were to address the following two key interventions:

•                  ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​finance direct Covid-19 intervention expenditures; and
•              support the funding gap in the budget which was occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on revenue mobilization.

​​​​​​​Hence, as reported on page 11, paragraph 31 of the report, the 53.8% and 46.2% spent on direct Covid-19 interventions and for general budget support respectively were consistent with the mandate approved by Parliament.

​​​​​​​The Ministry of Finance coordinated the mobilization and disbursement of funds for the Covid-19 responses by Government in accordance with the Public Financial Management Act, to ensure timely release of funds to save lives, livelihoods, and property.

1. The Ministry welcomes the Auditor General’s report and wishes to assure the public that, steps are being taken to address all issues. The following interventions are currently being pursued by the Ministry 
2. Meetings are being organised to engage with the implementing Agencies to evaluate actions taken to implement the audit recommendations in the audit report.

​​​​​​​Preparation of an Emergency Expenditure Management Guideline. This guideline will provide government with administrative protocols in times of emergency such as the Covid-19 pandemic to ensure compliance with relevant PFM regulations whiles providing timely responses.

 The Ministry of Finance will continue to apply its best efforts to enforce and enhance expenditure management and accountability to ensure proper utilization of tax revenue to the full benefit of citizens using established budgetary and accountability systems in Government.END                                                                                                                         

                                                                   ISSUED BY THE PUBLIC RELATIONS UNIT

                                                                                        MINISTRY OF FINANCE

THE NEWS EDITOR