The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has caused the arrest of two District Finance Officers after they failed to provide documentary proof to support over 62 payment vouchers the assembly issued for various services.
The two, from the Sefwi-Akontombra District, were dragged to the public hearing on Monday 20th January, 2020 to clarify the Auditor General’s report on infractions at the District.
The Committee started its public hearing last week has since invited MMDAs from Greater Accra, Western, Eastern and Volta Regions.
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The Districts that appeared during Monday’s sitting included Birim Central, Ellembele, Akontombra, Suhum, Akwapim North and Suamana Districts.
James Esifi, the present finance officer of the district and Isaac Akowah, the former officer reportedly lied under oath before the Committee and the Chairman caused their arrest for perjury.
The officers could not account for over GH¢126,000.00 and failed to convincingly explain the expenditure of the money to the Committee.
They produced nine out of the 62 payment vouchers that they claimed cover GH¢120,000.00.
The Committee rejected the explanation on the basis that it did not tally with the records captured by the Auditor General.
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Attempts by Isaac Akowah and James Esilfi to explain the anomaly to the Committee rather compounded the situation as they consistently contradicted themselves and incurring the displeasure of the Committee members.
The Committee Chairman James Klutes Avedzi who indicated that the contradictory explanation was planned to deceive Parliament House caused the arrest of the two till investigations establishes their innocence else they would be prosecuted.
The two officers were marched to the Parliament District Police Station for onward transfer to the Ministries Police.
