The management of the 10 polytechnics in the country have been cited for engaging in financial irregularities amounting to GH\u00a245,469,341 between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2014.<\/p>\n
The irregularities cover outstanding debts, loans and recoverable charges, cash, payroll, procurement, tax, stores, as well as contractors.<\/p>\n
These financial infractions are contained in the 2013-2014 report of the Auditor-General on the public accounts of the polytechnics.<\/p>\n
[contextly_sidebar id=”lJvF6dzFMzp2fnqC27nwu34Okuo8RaZu”]The Auditor-General, Mr Richard Quartey, in a preamble to the report, described the infractions as exceptions in the management of operations of the polytechnics.<\/p>\n
According to him, there were many instances of non-compliance with financial and other regulations, as well as errors that occurred in the transactions.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese are the results of systemic weaknesses that have persisted over time and other break-downs in internal controls,\u201d Mr Quartey observed.<\/p>\n
Report<\/strong> The worst offender in that regard was the Wa Polytechnic which recorded GH\u00a2558,547 for the period.<\/p>\n The Ho, Accra, Kumasi, Sunyani, Takoradi and Cape Coast polytechnics did not falter in that category.<\/p>\n That, the report said, arose out of management\u2019s failure to furnish the Controller and Accountant-General\u2019s Department (CAGD) with inputs and the inability to allow borrowers to make direct payment or enforcing any other means feasible under the circumstances to commence the recovery process.<\/p>\n It also accused the management of lack of supervision and improper record keeping to monitor and recover loans granted.<\/p>\n It recommended that the management of the polytechnics should vigorously pursue recovery of the loans granted and resort to legal action where necessary.<\/p>\n \u201cThey should also improve on supervision and ensure that schedule officers update all advances in the records,\u201d it added.<\/p>\n Cash irregularities<\/strong> The Kumasi Polytechnic topped the list of offenders with GH\u00a218,454,114, while the Bolgatanga Polytechnic was the least offender with GH\u00a279,823.<\/p>\n \u201cThese occurred as a result of laxity in expenditure control, flagrant disregard for financial regulations pertaining to disbursement of funds in the public sector and failure of heads of finance to control disbursement of funds and ensure that transactions were properly authenticated,\u201d the report said.<\/p>\n For that, it advised the management of the polytechnics to improve the control environment, including the establishment and effective operation of internal audit units, as well as enhance supervision over accounting staff to minimise those irregularities.<\/p>\n It recommended the authentication of all payment vouchers, the review of approved budgets, strict adherence to the provision of the Financial Administration Regulation (FAR) and the efficient management of IGFs and prompt retirement of imprest.<\/p>\n
\nOn outstanding debts, loans and recoverable charges, the report pointed out that the irregularities in that category related to outstanding loans and staff debts.<\/p>\n
\nAccording to the report, cash irregularities comprised misapplication of funds, non-retirement of imprest, unapproved expenditure and non-payment of internally generated funds (IGFs) into the Consolidated Fund.<\/p>\n