Auditor General Daniel Yaw Domelevo whose last-minute appointment by former President John Mahama was criticized, says he is not aligned with anybody or political party but the Constitution of Ghana.
Mr Domelevo who activated a section of the Audit Service Act by initiating steps to retrieve looted state funds stated he is working in the interest of the nation as per the country’s constitution.
“My allegiance is to nobody but the Constitution of Ghana. Let me assure you that we (Audit Service) are not operating under political influence,” he said at a news conference Wednesday to announce the issuance of certificates of indebtedness to some public servants.
The accountant was in a letter dated December 19, 2016 and signed by the then Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, offered the appointment. Domelevo’s appointment became the third major last-minute one made by the former President Mahama before exiting office in January 7, 2017.
Swearing him into office, President Mahama urged Mr Domelevo to be guided by the National Anti-Corruption action plan which he said hinges on three key principles; prevention, education and prosecution.
“…In discharging your job, your emphasise is not on sanctions but on trying to prevent, creating the systems that prevent misappropriation of public funds from taking place in the first place,” he advised. Eight months on, Mr Domelevo’s critics have lauded him for steps being taken to retrieve state funds that have been misappropriated by some public servants in the country.
Eight months on, Mr Domelevo’s critics have lauded him for steps being taken to retrieve state funds that have been misappropriated by some public servants in the country.
He has issued four certificates of indebtedness to some public servants who misapplied public funds.
The move is a rare progress being made in the public sector after about 25 years of failure to retrieve monies unlawfully misapplied by public officials.
It is a part of efforts by the Ghana Audit Service to apply the law on disallowance and surcharge under article 187 clause 7 B of the 1992 constitution.
The Supreme Court in June this year ordered the Auditor-General to recover all state funds which have been misappropriated by both public officials and private individuals.
Auditor General Daniel Yaw Domelevo said the 11 certificates of indebtedness issued have all been presided over by him to ensure due diligence. “Two weeks ago I issued the first batch of four certificates and they are served on the people.
Before the close of day today, I’ll be issuing seven more certificates,” he announced.
Per the Law, all persons implicated have 60 days to appeal after receiving a surcharge.
According to the Auditor General all irregularities and infractions that has led to the embezzlement of public funds, exposed by the Audit Service since the constitution came into effect in 1993 would be pursued.
He said any accused person who fails to pay the surcharge will be sued or the person’s salary withheld.
“The Supreme Court ruled that we should go back and collect the money…so we have a lot of work to do,” Mr Domelevo said.
The Ghana Audit Service would issue a report to Parliament before the close of the year detailing the names of persons involved.
Meanwhile, the staff of the Ghana Audit Service are being trained in forensic auditing to ensure evidence gathering is thorough to assure effectiveness in their operations.
Source: 3news.com
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DE3 3Y3 NO S3 OGYINA HO NO ONHW3 YIE NA WANHWE ASE. JUST BE CAREFUL. IT IS AT THE END THAT WE CAN JUDGE YOU. IT IS TOO EARLY TO SEEK PRAISE. MANY IMPOSTORS HAVE ACTED LIKE THIS BEFORE.
Thank God at long last some accountability is being pursued. However, the court and lawyers are going to find a way to adjourn the cases for as long as they can. They should warn the judges not to be allowing the cases to be adjourning for ever. I think maximum 3-4 weeks for adjournment of cases, otherwise the idea of retrieving the money will be defeated through needless postponement just like Woyome case. There should be a way that when the defendant adjourn the case, they pay 2% of the money surcharged,honestly upfront. if they win the case we (government) pay it back to them.
The Ghana Audit Service of Ghana is one of the major problems: some of the staff collude with corrupt officials and get their share of the loot after doing shoddy auditing. That is why some of them grow rich quickly ... just like the immigration and customs people. watch the officials who work for you, for some of them aid corruption and embezzlement.
Your allegiance is to the people of Ghana..... Remember not to follow the evil plan the greedy John Mahama and his evil NDC party asked you to do for him. Did you see what is happening to the foooolish EC boss? Learn from it. I wish you well.
Wo`boa, your allegiance is to the constitution of the Republic of Ghana and the President of the Republic. Keep up the good works and stop cheap talks of lazy civil servant