THE AUDITOR General’s latest report on Ghana’s public finances has revealed that the Office of Government Machinery (OGM), which includes the Office of the President, exceeded its 2024 budget by more than 100%.
According to the report, the OGM was allocated GH¢2.07 billion for the year but ended up spending GH¢4.18 billion — representing a 101.5% overspend.
A closer look shows alarming figures:
– Compensation for staff jumped from a budgeted GH¢352.12 million to GH¢1.4 billion — a GH¢1.05 billion difference.
– Goods and Services rose from GH¢571.20 million to GH¢1.21 billion — nearly doubling the approved amount.
– Specialised Expenses increased by GH¢156 million, while Non-Financial Assets (such as vehicles, buildings, and equipment) went up by GH¢267 million.
The Office of the President specifically overspent significantly:
– From an approved GH¢153.99 million for compensation to GH¢761.35 million.
– For non-financial assets, it moved from GH¢67 million to GH¢282.31 million.
These overruns, the report notes, violate the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) and Ghana’s fiscal responsibility laws, which are in place to ensure responsible use of public funds.
The findings have sparked concerns among policy watchers and civil society groups who say this level of overspending undermines efforts to maintain fiscal discipline, especially at a time when many Ghanaians are facing economic hardship.
The report forms part of the Auditor General’s Whole-of-Government Accounts for the Year Ended 31st December 2024, and is expected to trigger further scrutiny by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee.
Source: Nationaltymes.com
