Chairperson for the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Miss Josephine Nkrumah, has indicated that any staff of the Commission who is cited in the Auditors-General’s report for the infraction, to appear before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Accounts, will appear at his or her own cost.
Miss Nkrumah explained that the Commission has formulated a policy that states that if any staff commits any infractions which could largely be avoided, that staff member will bear the sole responsibility when he/she appears before the Public Accounts Committee or other relevant bodies, to respond to such infractions.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament, the NCCE Chairperson reiterated that the Commission will not bear the expenses of any staff, and that when a staff is surcharged, he or she would will face the consequence as an individual.
This came to light when the NCCE, Regional Branch at Sunyani was cited in the 2016 Auditors-General’s report for unsupported payments amounting to GH¢10,533.69.
Miss Nkrumah informed the Committee that when the monies were sent, they were not expended for some time and they did not reflect on the receipts.
She however, stated that when the Commission was cited in the report, the necessary consultations were done with the relevant receipts and the Commission has been cleared.
A-Gs report on unsupported payments of GH¢10,533.69
The 2016 Auditors-General’s (A-G)report on Public Boards, Corporations and Other Stationary cited the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) for unsupported payments of GH¢10,533.69.
The report revealed that payments totalling GH¢10,533.69, covering 15 Payment vouchers from the Commission’s account, were not supported with relevant documents such as official receipts, invoices among others in violation of Section 39(2c) of the financial Administration Regulations, 2004 (L.I 1802).
The lapse occurred as a result of the failure of the Accountant to obtain official receipts to support the payment vouchers after effecting payment. The Auditor-General could not ascertain the genuineness of the transactions.
In order to ensure proper accountability and effective control over the use of the Commission’s funds, the A-G recommended that the relevant supporting documents should be obtained and attached to the payment vouchers.
Source: GhanaJustice/F.Kyeremateng
