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The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed that officials of the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) responsible for unauthorised expenditures amounting to over GH₵180 million in 2023 be referred to the Attorney-General for prosecution.
The directive comes after the 2023 Auditor-General’s Report uncovered that ECG had overspent across at least 13 budget lines without seeking prior approval from its governing board.
During the PAC’s sitting on Tuesday, October 28, Ranking Member Samuel Atta-Mills condemned the company’s management, describing their conduct as a gross breach of financial discipline and corporate governance principles.
According to the report, ECG’s approved budgets included GH₵2.8 million for staff fuel, GH₵4.2 million for communication, GH₵40 million for consultancy, and GH₵3.1 million for stakeholder engagement. However, the company exceeded these limits, spending GH₵3.6 million, GH₵7.9 million, GH₵58.6 million, and GH₵49 million, respectively — all without board authorisation.
Expressing outrage over the figures, Mr. Atta-Mills remarked, “Staff fuel, did they drive around the world? The budget was GH₵2.8 million, and you spent GH₵3.6 million. Communication expenses, you budgeted GH₵4.2 million but spent GH₵7.9 million. Consultancy, GH₵40 million was approved, but you used GH₵58.6 million. Stakeholders’ expenses, from GH₵3.1 million to GH₵49 million — and you still want to increase tariffs?”
He demanded immediate sanctions, stressing that those responsible must face legal action to serve as a deterrent.
PAC Chair Abena Osei Asare also called on ECG to strengthen its internal control systems and ensure that all future expenditures receive proper authorisation from the board before implementation.
