A Civil Society Organization, Care for Free and Fair Elections Ghana (“CARE” GHANA) has called on the Electoral Commission (EC) to provide an account for the over Gh¢98 million expenditure that was reported in the 2021 Auditor General’s report.
The Auditor General reported that, Electoral Commission (EC) exceeded its appropriation budget for goods and services and compensation by Gh¢98, 712, 679, contributing to the GH¢10.5 billion over expenditure reported by the Auditor General for the year 2021.
However, CARE said the Commission is yet to explain to the public what accounted for its over expenditure.
A statement said “Overspending at a time when the country requires efficient use of public resources to achieve value for money and ensure fiscal discipline is of much concern especially when reports on Ghana’s economic outlook is uninspiring.
“According to Bloomberg, Ghana’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP), is estimated at 84.6 per cent by the end of this year. This indicates that the nation’s debt will have exceed Gh¢400 billion by far before the end of 2022. Ghana’s annual inflation rate for instance, accelerated for 13th consecutive months to 29.8% in June 2022 and 14th straight months to 31.7% in July 2022.
“Consequently, government has indicated its open arms to both local and international assistance to resuscitate the country’s economy.
“The Electoral Commission after the 2020 general elections announced to the general public that, it saved the country $90 million after conducting the 2020 parliamentary and presidential elections.
“According to Jean Mensah the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, the Commission achieved this feat, in spite of high inflation rates, price hikes and the additional cost it incurred owing to the COVID-19 protocols it deployed throughout the election processes.
