Mahama to establish special courts to enforce Auditor-General’s findings

President John Dramani Mahama has taken a decisive step to reinforce accountability in public financial management by initiating plans for the creation of special courts dedicated to handling audit-related offences.

The move follows a high-level meeting at the Jubilee House, where the President met with the Acting Chief Justice, the Attorney-General, and the Auditor-General to discuss measures aimed at tightening the enforcement of findings contained in the Auditor-General’s annual reports.

The discussions centered on strengthening institutional responses to cases of financial mismanagement, improving the recovery of public funds, and ensuring that individuals implicated in audit infractions face appropriate legal action without unnecessary delays.

Under the new arrangement, the proposed special courts will be tasked with addressing audit infractions, including the enforcement of surcharges, disallowances, and where applicable, the prosecution of criminal offences linked to misuse or diversion of public resources.

This initiative aligns with the government’s broader agenda to enhance transparency, fiscal responsibility, and deterrence against the misuse of state funds. It represents a clear policy shift from reactive measures to proactive enforcement, ensuring that audit reports translate into tangible accountability outcomes rather than remaining as administrative documents.

By establishing these specialized courts, the government seeks to close long-standing gaps in the audit enforcement process that have often allowed financial irregularities to go unpunished. It is also expected to boost public confidence in the state’s commitment to uphold integrity in public service.

Observers view this as a critical reform that could transform how audit findings are treated across public institutions. The success of this measure will depend on the collaboration between the judiciary, Attorney-General’s department, and audit authorities, to ensure efficiency, fairness, and consistency in handling such cases.

The creation of these courts is expected to serve as both a deterrent and corrective mechanism, signaling that under the current administration, financial malpractice within the public sector will attract swift and decisive consequences.