The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has settled GH¢33,100 in outstanding debts owed to Pantang Hospital for treating people with mental health conditions found on the streets, as it reviewed institutional infractions involving public hospitals and other government agencies.

The payment, made as part of the Committee’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitment, covers GH¢17,000 owed by the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) and GH¢16,100 owed by the Akuapem South Municipal Assembly for mental healthcare services provided to the affected individuals.

The intervention comes as the Committee examines responses from health institutions and public agencies to infractions identified in the Auditor-General’s 2025 performance audit reports on mortuary management and efforts to reduce maternal mortality in Ghana.

Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Greater Accra Regional Hospital (Ridge), Pantang Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital have responded to findings in the 2025 Performance Audit Report on the Management of Mortuary Facilities in Public Hospitals.

The Births and Deaths Registry has also provided updates on issues raised in the Auditor-General’s 2025 performance audit of government efforts to reduce maternal mortality.

Government plans technology-driven bed management system

Deputy Minister for Health, Dr Grace Ayensu-Danquah, disclosed that the government is working towards introducing a technology-driven bed management system to address bed shortages in hospital emergency departments.

According to her, the pilot phase of the initiative has commenced, with all hospitals having established bed management teams to support its implementation.

The proposed system is expected to improve the monitoring and allocation of available beds, helping hospitals manage emergency admissions more effectively.

Dr Ayensu-Danquah also acknowledged challenges affecting maternal healthcare delivery, indicating that the government is developing a roadmap to establish uniform standards of care, quality control and quality assurance across all regions.

She further called for dedicated funding for maternal health, underscoring the need for sustained financial support to improve healthcare delivery and efforts to reduce maternal deaths.

UPPF cites technology in response to audit concerns

The Unified Petroleum Price Fund (UPPF), under the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), also presented its response to infractions cited during the Committee’s review.

The Fund indicated that the deployment of technology had significantly improved its ability to obtain real-time data and track the movements of Bulk Road Vehicles (BRVs).

The development points to the growing role of technology in monitoring operations and strengthening institutional oversight.

PAC hearing ends amid DACF Administrator's absence

The Committee brought its hearing to an end after discharging representatives of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) because the Administrator of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF), Mr Michael Harry Yamson, was absent.

The absence meant the hearing involving the assemblies could not proceed as intended.

The Committee’s proceedings formed part of its wider scrutiny of public institutions and their responses to issues identified in the Auditor-General’s reports, including concerns relating to healthcare delivery, maternal mortality, mortuary management and institutional accountability.

EA