Exposed: GH¢Millions Lost as 55 Projects Stall With No Work Done
Millions Lost: Ghana Orders Forensic Audit Into 55 Abandoned Projects
Ghana’s Ministry of Finance has launched a forensic audit into 55 stalled infrastructure projects, raising serious concerns over financial mismanagement.
Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson revealed the audit during the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on July 24, 2025.
Contractors Paid—But No Work Done
Dr. Forson explained that some contractors received payments from external loan funds but delivered no physical work in return.
“Contractors drew down loan funds with no progress to show,” he told Parliament.
The Auditor-General, working with one of the Big Four accounting firms, is leading the investigation.
Cost Increases Flagged Without Approval
The Minister also noted that some contractors submitted unauthorized cost increases and variations far beyond what Parliament approved.
“Project scopes cannot change. This was agreed with the IMF and Official Creditors Committee,” Dr. Forson stressed.
All project implementers have been warned to stick to the original designs.
Audit to Uncover Fraud, Mismanagement
The forensic audit aims to:
- Identify misuse of public funds
- Expose procurement breaches
- Trace suspicious payments
- Recommend sanctions or recovery
Only projects that are 70% complete or more will now receive funds, aligning with Ghana’s debt restructuring programme.
Next Steps: Full Report and Sanctions
Once the audit ends, the Finance Ministry will:
- Submit a report to Parliament
- Propose recovery actions
- Refer criminal matters to the police
“Ghana must deliver results without wasting scarce funds,” Dr. Forson added.
🟢 Take-Home Message
Ghana is losing millions to stalled projects. A forensic audit is underway to hold contractors accountable and protect national funds.
This move signals the government’s intent to fight waste, corruption, and poor project execution—especially during economic recovery.
