REPORT LAUNCH

2ND IMANI FISCAL RECKLESSNESS INDEX (2020)

ABOUT THE EVENT

Fragilities in Ghana’s public financial management system are imposing onerous financial costs to the nation despite the implementation of various reform programmes and strategies over the last two decades. The Auditor- General estimates that the financial irregularities of Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) cost the country about GHC13.94 billion between 2015 and 2020, the same period where the Public Financial Management Act 2016 (Act 921) and the PFM Regulation (LI 2378) were passed. Compared to the GHC1.42 billion combined irregularities of MDAs between 2010 and 2014, the financial cost of MDAs’ fiscal indiscipline has increased more than thirteen times in the last five years. The effectiveness of oversight institutions and internal controls have declined, resulting in flagrant abuse of the PFM laws in the use of public funds. The issue of prudent spending and efficient use of public funds has become essential, especially at a time when the government faces a frighteningly high fiscal situation.

IMANI Centre for Policy and Education with the support of OXFAM (Ghana) has developed a Fiscal Recklessness Index that utilizes the Auditor General’s report to assess the fiscal recklessness of MDAs, the sources of leakages in the public financial management system, and the identified institutional weaknesses that enable waste of public funds to occur. The 2020 Fiscal Recklessness Index examines irregularities reported between 2015 and 2020.  The first index was published in 2016 and covered irregularities between 2010 and 2014. Based on these, we also provide some recommendations on how to improve the country’s public finances.

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Please confirm your participation through email to info@imanighana.org.

Tuesday, 31st May 2022 | 9:30am

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venue

Tang Palace Hotel, Roman Ridge