Cash irregularities captured by the Auditor-General in its audit report of District Assemblies amounted to GH¢9,313,612.62 at 191 Assemblies.
The cash irregularities mainly comprise of non-collected revenue, inefficient revenue collection, unaccounted funds, and misappropriation of revenue.
The report said the irregularities resulted mainly from non-compliance with relevant Laws and Regulations and non-enforcement of controls to maximise revenue collection and also mitigate payment infractions.
Sixty-three Assemblies could not collect GH¢4,121,615.13 due from rent, property rates and business operating permits, among others, the report said.
It recommended that if routine recovery measures fail to yield results, legal action should be taken against the defaulters for recovery of the amount.
One hundred and sixty-three collectors at 31 Assemblies were paid salaries of GH¢3,040,877.99 but collected revenue of only GH¢1,634,964.31 representing 54 percent of their salaries leading to a shortfall of GH¢1,405,913.68.
The report recommended to management of the Assemblies to enforce revenue targets for collectors and remuneration paid should be commensurate with their collections. We also recommended that disciplinary action should be taken against non-performing collectors.
Payroll infractions occurred at 32 Assemblies and involved payment of salaries to separated staff and overpayment of salaries.
”We also noted instances where social security contributions deducted from staff salaries had not been remitted to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) and poor management of pension funds which resulted in penalty payment, the report added.
Read the full report below
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
