PAC directs Works and Housing Ministry to retrieve GH¢7.9m in unvalidated Olympic Ghana building costs

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has instructed the Ministry of Works and Housing to pursue recovery of GH¢7.9 million in unverified expenses related to the Olympic Ghana building's management at Ridge, Accra. This directive arose from a contentious discussion between committee members and ministry officials regarding financial allegations involving a private property management firm entrusted with overseeing the site.

The firm, K&A, reportedly earned around GH¢13 million in rent from the property and asserted they had spent GH¢9.2 million on upkeep and related costs. However, the company was unable to furnish sufficient evidence to substantiate a substantial portion of the expenditure, resulting in GH¢7.9 million remaining unvalidated. Committee members questioned Deputy Minister for Works and Housing, Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui, over the issue, expressing apprehension about the Ministry's inadequate responses.

The committee further probed into the Ministry's engagement process with the private property manager, given the significant sum involved. PAC members emphasized the necessity of implementing robust accountability measures concerning the property's management and the revenues derived from it. Committee Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare directed the Ministry to address the matter and take measures to recover the unverified funds before the onset of the next fiscal year.