PAC Directs Three SHSs to Attorney-General’s Office for Prosecution Over Procurement Breaches
PAC flags procurement irregularities in three Central Region SHSs, orders referral for prosecution
- PAC refers three Central Region SHSs to Attorney-General over procurement breaches
- Schools accused of violating Public Procurement Act in Auditor-General’s Report
- Officials warned of possible prosecution, including fines and imprisonment
The Ranking Member of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Samuel Atta Mills, has directed three Senior High Schools in the Central Region to the Attorney-General’s Office for possible prosecution over procurement breaches captured in the Auditor-General’s Report.
The schools are Bremang Essikuma Technical Institute, Eguafo Senior High School, and Efutu Senior High Technical School, all in the Central Region.
The directive was issued during the ongoing PAC sittings in Takoradi, where the committee is examining financial and procurement irregularities involving public institutions.
Addressing school authorities during the hearing, Hon. Atta Mills expressed concern over persistent violations of the Public Procurement Act, particularly the failure by some schools to obtain competitive quotations before awarding contracts or making purchases.
According to him, some schools manipulate procurement processes by collecting invoices from suppliers merely to satisfy audit requirements after already deciding which contractors to award contracts to.
The PAC Ranking Member warned that procurement offences are criminal in nature and could attract fines, imprisonment, or both.
Hon. Frank Yeboah, a member of the committee who also questioned some of the school authorities during the sitting, expressed surprise at whether some heads of institutions fully understand the provisions of the Public Procurement Act.
