People Should Be Arrested If Claims Are Proven – Dafeamekpor On COVID-19 Audit

Majority Chief Whip and South Dayi MP, Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, has called for immediate arrests if allegations surrounding the handling of COVID-19 expenditure audit findings are proven.

Speaking in an interview , Mr Dafeamekpor said the revelations from investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni’s investigation could point to a serious public finance scandal.

He said the matter becomes particularly concerning if evidence confirms that the Auditor-General’s office conducted a special audit but failed to report material findings to Parliament.

Mr Dafeamekpor cited Section 16 of the Audit Service Act, which he said requires the Auditor-General and his officers to report findings from a special audit to Parliament.

According to him, if evidence establishes that the Audit Service audited COVID-19 fumigation expenditure by the Ministries of Local Government and Transport but omitted material findings or recommendations from its report to Parliament, it could constitute a breach of the law.

His comments follow Mr Awuni’s investigation, which has raised questions over the reporting of COVID-19 fumigation expenditure. The investigation found that the Auditor-General’s special audit reported GH¢96.3 million for fumigation, while documents indicated significantly higher expenditure across several ministries.

Mr Dafeamekpor said urgent action, including arrests, should follow if the allegations are established.

“If this is really the issue tonight, then people should be arrested,” he said, adding that arrests should be made before daybreak if the claims are proven.