The President of IMANI Africa, Franklin Cudjoe, has accused certain public servants of contributing significantly to financial irregularities, describing their actions as a "carnage" that drains public resources.

His comments come in the light of recent audit findings on government arrears and payables, which have ignited discussions about the management of billions in claims.

The report confirmed GH¢45.4 billion of GH¢68.7 billion in claims, but rejected GH¢8.1 billion due to irregularities, and left GH¢13.3 billion still under review.

Speaking on Channel One TV's The Big Issue, Cudjoe argued that corruption should not be solely blamed on politicians, while highlighting the role of career officials across various administrations.

“Public servants, in particular, are sometimes responsible for this carnage. Just two weeks after Cassiel Ato Forson (the Finance Minister) assumed office, he called me and mentioned that some people in the Ministry informed him that there is money here, where we all benefit, and where the Finance Ministers also benefit,” he said.

He also noted that questionable payments are often processed through less visible channels, making them difficult to trace.

“You see, these amounts are never visible in the consolidated fund, so you do not know where these questionable projects are being financed from,” he added.

Franklin Cudjoe further cited an example involving a former Chief Director at the Ministry of Finance, Eva Mends, who uncovered a suspicious procurement activity.

“She said to me, 'Franklin, I am a young woman, and I will never do anything to tarnish my name,'” she recounted.

He emphasised that addressing corruption requires holding both politicians and technocrats accountable.

“Of course, my good friend, Madam Eva, who was recently the Chief Director at the Ministry, would also tell you that she has witnessed a lot. If she did not have a critical eye, many ministries would go ahead and procure vehicles without scrutiny. At one point, a particular ministry presented the same documents for the same number of cars with identical specifications, and she remarked, 'I saw these vehicles in your yard about two years ago; where are they now?'”

“She followed up and discovered that people were milking the system. These are all public servants,” he said.

NAD/AE

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