Deputy Chairman of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Davis Ansah Opoku, has disclosed that the committee recovered more than GH¢106 million for the state between 2020 and 2024.

According to him, on TV3’s Hot Issues on May 24, 2026, the amount was recovered through the committee’s engagements with institutions and individuals cited in audit reports.

“For instance, between 2020 and 2024, we recovered over GH¢106 million to the state just by mere invitation,” he said.

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Speaking on the work of the committee, its impact, and efforts to ensure deterrence, Opoku explained that in many cases, state funds were recovered after institutions and individuals were invited to appear before PAC.

“Appear before the Public Accounts Committee, signed by the clerk of parliament, that you are being summoned to appear before the Public Accounts Committee,” he said.

He noted that some individuals corrected mistakes after receiving notices from the committee.

“Just by mere invitation, we recovered these monies. Just by mere invitation, people now go back to correct certain wrongs that they had done in the past. Just by mere invitations, they come and appear before us and give us assurances that certain things won't happen again, and in some of the cases, it may be infractions,” he stated.

The deputy chairman added that not all infractions were intentional, explaining that some were caused by operational challenges.

“In some cases, it is not their fault because they didn't get the network, which is why that infraction happened,” he said.

He stressed the need for stronger accountability measures and sanctions for people who breach public financial rules.

“And that's why there must always be checks and balances. That's why there must always be laws. That's why there must always be punishment for people who flout these rules,” he added.

Davis Ansah Opoku also cited cases involving government-sponsored students who failed to return to Ghana after completing studies abroad despite being funded by the state.

He indicated that in some cases, the committee went further to take action against such persons by surcharging them in efforts to recover the funds.

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“For instance, in the past, we had dozens of cases where people were sponsored by the state. They go for study leaves abroad. Some of them are paid even during those periods, and after spending so much money to train them, they do not come back, and all of that. So at a point, we were now surcharging them,” he disclosed.

MAG/VPO

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