Parliament has ordered a probe into GH¢68.7 billion in government arrears following revelations of suspected fraudulent claims, including duplicate invoices, unsupported documentation, overstated amounts, and payments for work that was never done.

The directive was issued after a report submitted to the House by the Ministry of Finance highlighted serious irregularities in arrears owed by the government to contractors and suppliers.

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According to myjoyonline.com, the report, presented through Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem on behalf of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, called for urgent investigation by the Public Accounts Committee.

First Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Bernard Ahiafor, is said to have referred the matter to the committee and instructed that the probe be completed within three weeks.

The Ghana Audit Service, in collaboration with international firms: Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers, conducted a verification and validation exercise on unpaid government obligations.

The audit reviewed invoices, Interim Payment Certificates (IPCs), and Bank Transfer Advices submitted by various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs).

The exercise revealed that GH¢8.1 billion of the claims could not be validated.

According to the audit, these included duplicate invoices, overstated amounts, unsupported documentation, already-paid invoices, falsified store receipts and claims for work that was never completed.

Despite these irregularities, the audit confirmed GH¢45.4 billion of arrears as legitimate government obligations, with the remainder still under reconciliation.

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The committee is expected to present its findings and recommendations to the House after completing its review within the stipulated three-week period.

MAG/AE

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