The Auditor-General’s Department has dismissed media reports suggesting that it has fully sanctioned the 2024 financial statements of the Minerals Income Investment Fund (MIIF).

A source at the department said the publications circulating in some media outlets are part of “orchestrated and deliberate efforts” by some former executives and past board members of MIIF to pressure the department into releasing a report that is not yet complete.

“We are still in discussions with MIIF to address all concerns raised and to ensure that what is final and good to go public is sacrosanct, pure, factual and without any ambiguities,” the source stated.

The source described the individuals behind the publications as a “shameless group” whose actions are aimed at derailing a legitimate audit process.

Auditor-General confirms MIIF 2024 financials free of pervasive misstatements

“These machinations are most unfortunate and calculated attempts to prejudice the outcome of the financial report in contention,” the source said.

According to the department, those pushing the claims have “the right to also challenge anything that is finally produced in the report when it is finally published because it is their right.”

The source added, “If they have nothing to hide, they must stay silent for due process to be carried out. This is an audit, and, therefore, whatever issues that will be identified, will be subjected to those implicated to enable them to clarify, after which we will draw our own conclusions based on the facts at our disposal.”

The source further noted that the actions of the former officials are “unfortunate” and “disgraceful,” urging them to allow the audit process to conclude.

“Ghanaians and the world will have the opportunity to judge from the final report when released. There is nothing to hide so we urge patience. If MIIF is not complaining, we see no reason why others should be so bitter and impatient to wait for the process to be fully exhausted,” the sourced added.

The department has therefore asked the public to disregard what it described as “malicious publications” and to await formal communication from the Auditor-General’s office.

It also cautioned media houses against spreading false claims, warning that it “will not hesitate to institute legal action against any media house used to carry out that negative agenda.”

According to the source, the publications are “half baked, selective and do not portray the whole true story as far as discussions between the two parties are concerned.”

“We maintain that the communication between MIIF and us is confidential for now and we will make the outcome public when the time is due,” the source added.

SP/MA

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