Finance Ministry prepares guidelines for emergency expenditure

The Ministry of Finance is preparing an Emergency Expenditure Management Guideline that will provide government with administrative protocols in times of emergency such as the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is to ensure compliance with relevant Public Financial Management regulations, while at the same time providing timely responses to pandemics.

The Emergency Expenditure Management Guideline is being prepared, following recommendations by the Auditor General in its report on Government’s COVID-19 Expenditure for the period March 2020 to June 2022.

The ministry in a press release said it would continue to apply its best efforts to enforce and enhance expenditure management and accountability to ensure proper utilization of tax revenue to the full benefit of citizens, using established budgetary and accountability systems.

The ministry also commended the Auditor General on the publication of the report which was commissioned by the Minister of Finance on July 14, 2022 and timely release of the Audit report.

“The audit report confirms total resources mobilized for the COVID-19 response over the period March 2020 to June 2022 at GH¢21,844,189,185.24. As indicated in the report, the funds mobilized were to address the following two key interventions; finance direct COVID-19 intervention expenditures; and support the funding gap in the budget which was occasioned by the pandemic.

“Hence, as reported on page 11, paragraph 31 of the report, the 53.8 per cent and 46.2 per cent spent on direct COVID-19 interventions and for general budget support respectively were consistent with the mandate approved by Parliament,” the release highlighted.

It further noted that the ministry coordinated the mobilization and disbursement of funds for the COVID-19 responses by Government in accordance with the Public Financial Management Act, to ensure timely release of funds to save lives, livelihoods, and property.

“The Ministry welcomes the Auditor General’s report and wishes to assure the public that, steps are being taken to address all issues.

Some of the interventions being pursued include meetings to engage with the implementing Agencies to evaluate actions taken to implement the audit recommendations in the audit report.