PAC To Order Arrest of Officials Who Lie Under Oath - James Avedzi

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has warned that henceforth the Committee will order the arrest and detention of public officials who lie under oath when they appear before the Committee to respond to issues contained in the Auditor-Generals report in connection with their institutions.

Chairman of the Committee, James Avedzi gave the warning at its Public hearing today, Tuesday, when the Weija-Gbawe MCE, Patrick K. B Kumor was unable to appear before it to respond to issues contained in the 2015 and 2016 reports of the Auditor-General on the management and utilisation of the District Assemblies Common Fund and other statutory funds.

Mercy Quansah the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Coordinating Director of the Weija-Gbawe Municipal Assembly stood in for the MCE.

According to Mercy Quansah, Patrick Kumor could not attend the Public hearing because he had been invited to attend the Results Fair being organized in Accra.

But the Committee insisted he was called to appear before it.

Mercy Kumor later reported to the Committee that she had informed the MCE about the Committee waiting for him, but he could not turn up until the hearing was over.

Hon James Avedzi who was not convinced by the explanation given by Mercy Quansah warned that the Committee will henceforth order the arrest of public servants who lie under oath before the Committee.

The Weija-Gbawe Assembly was therefore asked to reappear before the Committee on Tuesday, 21st January, 2020.

Other Assemblies which also appeared before the Committee today were the Ga Central and Ningo Prampram.

Eight other Assemblies from the Greater Accra region which were supposed to appear before the Committee also failed to do so.

They include; Shai Osudoku, La Dade-Kotopon, Ada West, La Nkwantanan, Ada East, Adenta, Accra Metro and Ga East Municipal Assemblies.

Source: Emmanuel Akorli/ Peace FM Parliamentary Correspondent