By Ashiadey Dotse
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has summoned two officials over claims involving GH₵8.2 million meant for the construction of household toilets under the government’s “Toilet for All” project.
The officials, Bright Oduro Kwarteng and Theophilus Okine, are expected to appear before the Committee to explain the circumstances surrounding the funds, which were reportedly paid but no work was carried out.
According to the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, efforts to verify the payments have been delayed because key documents were said to have been sent to the National Archives.
Appearing before the Committee, the sector minister, Ahmed Ibrahim, disclosed that although mobilisation funds had been released to contractors, no construction work was done.
He explained that the officers who handled the transaction are still working in other government institutions. Mr. Theophilus Okine, who served as Director of Procurement, is now at the Ministry of Defence, while Bright Oduro Kwarteng is currently the Director of Finance at the Ministry of Trade and Agribusiness.
“The contractors were given mobilisation funds, but they did not go to the site,” the minister told the Committee.
Mr. Ibrahim also revealed that the previous administration had started processes to cancel the contracts and re-award them to ensure the project is completed.
Meanwhile, the Ranking Member of the Committee, Samuel Atta-Mills, strongly criticised the situation and ordered the two officials to appear with all relevant documents.
“Wherever the documents are, they must bring them. You pay someone to do a job, the person fails to deliver, and then you cancel the contract and re-award it—this is not right,” he said.
The Committee is expected to continue its investigations as part of efforts to ensure accountability and proper use of public funds.
