Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister of Finance
Thomas Nyarko Ampem, Deputy Minister of Finance, has emphasised that achieving excellence in Public Financial Management (PFM) must be anchored on effective governance, accountability, and transformative development.
Speaking at the opening of the 2025 Annual Conference of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) in Ho, Thomas Nyarko stated that the government has taken bold corrective measures to overhaul the country’s PFM architecture.
He noted that since assuming office, the government has amended both the PFM and Procurement Acts to accelerate the implementation of an enhanced fiscal framework, including the establishment of an independent Fiscal Advisory Council.
The two-day conference, held at the Ho Technical University auditorium under the theme “Enhancing Public Financial Management Excellence,” has drawn accountants and finance professionals from across the country.
Highlighting recent achievements, Nyarko said that within four months, the government had strengthened controls on new spending commitments, launched a comprehensive audit of uncovered arrears, and operationalised a fiscal compliance framework.
Additional measures include expanding the Ghana Electronic Procurement System, conducting payroll audits and functional reviews of selected Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs), enhancing risk management systems, and updating the centralized inventory of all public investment projects.
Thomas Nyarko stressed that the CAGD is central to these reforms, being the institution mandated to ensure the effective, transparent, and accountable use of public funds.
He warned that the era of recklessness and misuse of public resources is over, pledging that infractions will be met with the full force of the law.
He expressed optimism that the conference would serve as a catalyst for innovation, institutional renewal, and strategic partnerships that will strengthen Ghana’s economic and fiscal governance.
In his remarks, Kwasi Agyei, Controller and Accountant General, disclosed that more than 4,000 government salaries had been suspended following payroll reviews, which revealed inconsistencies with National Identification Authority (NIA) numbers and questionable data credentials.
He reminded payroll validators of the serious consequences for processing payments for unqualified individuals, as outlined in PFM Regulation 90 (2019) and Section 96 of the PFM Act (2016), Act 921, and pledged strict enforcement of sanctions.
To enhance payroll data security and integrity, Agyei outlined measures including strong data encryption, access controls, multi-factor authentication, biometric identification and validation, regular data audits and reconciliations, penetration testing, and increased collaboration with the Internal Audit Agency.
He urged CAGD staff to uphold values of integrity, transparency, professionalism, collaboration, and a commitment to public interest, stressing, “Let us commit to improving public financial management not merely as a catchphrase, but as a consistent standard of excellence.”
Anthony Kwasi Sarpong, Acting Commissioner-General of the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), highlighted the interconnectedness of the GRA and CAGD, likening the two institutions to “unidentical twins”, one responsible for mobilizing resources and the other for managing expenditures.
He called for both institutions to operate above reproach and deliver services with integrity and innovation.
Also addressing the conference, Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu stated that excellence in PFM would directly lead to improved infrastructure, quality education, better healthcare, and sustainable development anchored in transparency and public trust.
Togbe Afede XIV, Agbogbomefia of the Asogli State, represented by Togbe Adu Bobi IV, reminded participants that effective and ethical management of public resources is not just a professional obligation but a patriotic duty.
He urged the gathering to reignite a passion for building a Ghana where fiscal responsibility, innovation, and transparency are the hallmarks of governance.