By: Kadijatu Bangura, Reporter D. S
Accra, — A startling revelation in the 2023 Auditor General Report has exposed significant financial malfeasance at the Sierra Leone High Commission in Accra, Ghana. The report highlights alarming discrepancies, including unsubstantiated payments made for end-of-service benefits to staff, raising concerns over the integrity of financial operations at the commission.
According to the report, a total of US$46,947.85 was disbursed to six staff members as end-of-service benefits on September 19, 2022. However, essential supporting documents—such as staff files, retirement records, and the mode of computation for these benefits—were notably absent during the audit inspection. The Auditor General expressed that insufficient documentation casts doubt on whether the expenditures were legitimate, recommending that the Head of Mission and Financial Attaché establish policies outlining specific documentation requirements for such payments and submit the relevant documents for verification.
In response, the management of the Ghana High Commission claimed that copies of the necessary supporting documents were available for verification. However, the Auditor General noted that these documents were not provided during the audit, leaving the issue unresolved.
Additionally, the report revealed that a total medical allowance of US$294,121 was deposited into the High Commission’s account, but only US$132,625 was accounted for in expenditure returns, resulting in an unaccounted balance of US$161,496. The Auditor General recommended that the Finance Attaché ensure the submission of expenditure returns for the outstanding medical expenses. While management stated that documentation for the missing funds was available, the Auditor General confirmed that only US$73,868, representing 45% of the queried amount, was submitted and verified, leaving a remaining balance of US$87,628 unresolved.
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