The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has launched a probe into the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources following the emergence of significant financial irregularities, including duplicate claims running into tens of millions of cedis.
The scrutiny comes after the Ministry appeared before the committee to respond to findings in an audit report, which revealed widespread lapses in financial management and internal controls.
During the hearing, the Member of Parliament for Awutu Senya East, Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, raised concerns over discrepancies in the report, describing the situation as troubling and unacceptable.
According to the audit, claims exceeding GH¢1.1 million were disallowed due to administrative errors, including duplicate entries and requests for payments already settled. Additionally, approximately GH¢3.7 million remains unaccounted for, with auditors citing missing documentation, lack of third-party verification, and poor record-keeping.
A major concern highlighted during the session was the discovery of duplicate claims estimated at over GH¢80 million. Committee members described the figure as alarming, suggesting it could indicate either gross incompetence or potential fraud within the system.
Ms. Okunor questioned how such substantial duplicate claims could bypass internal auditing and financial control systems before reaching the Ministry of Finance, and whether any formal investigations had been initiated to establish accountability.
Responding to the concerns, the Deputy Minister of Lands, Yussif Sulemana, acknowledged the irregularities but attributed them partly to the complex structure of compensation payments in the sector.
He explained that such payments often involve multiple institutions, including the Lands Commission, and may be processed either directly to individuals or through designated agencies, creating room for inconsistencies when coordination is weak.
Despite the explanation, PAC members demanded more detailed responses, urging technical officers within the ministry to take responsibility and clarify the discrepancies. The committee emphasized that such lapses erode public confidence and must be addressed promptly.