PAC Oversight Saves Ghana Over GH¢273 Million in 2024 – Speaker Bagbin Applauds Anti-Corruption Progress

Ghana saved more than GH¢273 million in 2024 thanks to the diligent work of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Speaker of Parliament Alban Bagbin revealed.

This significant financial recovery resulted from PAC’s rigorous examination of public sector spending, which also yielded 252 key recommendations aimed at strengthening transparency and accountability within government agencies.

Speaker Bagbin made the announcement on Monday, June 2, during a courtesy visit by the African Union Advisory Board Against Corruption (AUABC) at Parliament House in Accra. The AUABC delegation is in Ghana for a week-long review of the country’s implementation of the AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.

As part of their mission, the AUABC team will meet with critical institutions such as the Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) and various civil society organisations to exchange ideas and identify barriers in the fight against corruption.

Bagbin highlighted Ghana’s ongoing anti-corruption efforts, tracing back to the adoption of a Zero Tolerance for Corruption policy in 2001. He pointed to key legislative measures—including the Anti-Money Laundering Act, the Whistleblower Act, the Witness Protection Act, and the Right to Information Act—as well as the establishment of specialised bodies like the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

“Parliament has played a pivotal role in these efforts,” Bagbin emphasized, noting internal reforms such as the implementation of a Code of Conduct for MPs and staff, updated Standing Orders, and the creation of a dedicated anti-corruption unit within Parliament. Additional reforms include the Privileges Committee, the Ethics and Standards Office, and the Office of Profits—all intended to ensure ethical conduct in governance. A newly introduced Citizens Bureau also allows the public and CSOs to petition Parliament on national concerns.

As Chairperson of the Association of African Speakers and a member of the African Network of Parliamentarians, Bagbin reaffirmed Ghana’s commitment to promoting integrity and good governance.

AUABC Chairperson Madam Seynabou Ndiaye Diakhatè praised Ghana’s anti-corruption leadership and stressed the importance of regular peer reviews among AU member states.

She expressed confidence that the Board’s upcoming recommendations would further boost Ghana’s anti-corruption institutions and strategies.

The AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, adopted in 2003, remains a cornerstone in the fight against corruption across the continent.