The Ghana Audit Service has urged media practitioners to thoroughly examine the Auditor-General’s report before filing their news stories to prevent unnecessary mistakes.

Over the years, the Service observed that some media houses and journalists misinterpret and misreport the findings of the Auditor-General’s document, leading to numerous inaccuracies.

The 2024 report revealed that irregularities identified among public boards, statutory bodies, corporations and others surged to GH¢18.4 billion, a significant increase from GH¢8.8 billion in 2023.

Some journalists interpreted these irregularities as indicating that all the funds have been lost or possibly misappropriated by individuals.

During a two-day training session for journalists in Kumasi, organized by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), Frederick Lokko, Assistant Director of Audit at the Ghana Audit Service, clarified that irregularities do not necessarily imply that the money has been squandered.

Instead, they indicate that the funds were not used properly in accordance with the regulations outlined in the Public Financial Management Act.

While Mr. Lokko acknowledged the possibility that some funds might have been misappropriated, he stressed the importance for journalists to avoid sensationalism and exaggerated headlines by accurately understanding and interpreting the Auditor-General’s report before reporting on it..

“The real motivation has been the fact that over the period, the service has observed the reportage on the Auditor-General’s report has not really been a true reflection of what the report contains and the intentions of the report, so that has been the main driving factor of this training,” he said.

“The main challenge is that, most of the media houses run with this figure (GHC18.4 billion irregularities). And the perception, the way it’s portrayed to the general public is as if this amount of money is being misappropriated by public officers. And to a large extent, even it’s like it’s lost,” he added.

Mr. Lokko believes that journalists should be careful not to report the findings in a way that causes panic among citizens, as this could erode trust in the political class and potentially lead to civil unrest.

Pamela Laourou, Assistant Communications Officer at the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, stated that the training is critical in the fight against corruption since the report reveals how public resources are managed, flagging irregularities and gaps in accountability.

“Equipping journalists with the skills to analyse and report effectively makes the media a powerful watchdog for transparency and good governance,” she indicated.

The journalists were drawn from four regions, including Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Ahafo, and Western North.

The training, conducted in three zones, benefited approximately 90 journalists across all 16 regions of the country.

The Ghana Private Road Transport Union (GPRTU) has threatened to strike if the government fails to address the deplorable condition of the Pokuase–Nsawam road. The union has given the government a one-week ultimatum, which expires on Wednesday, 20 August.

The Nsawam–Ofankor road project, awarded in July 2022, was expected to be completed by July 2024. Revised timelines shifted the completion date to May 2025, but work remains unfinished. Analysts estimate the project is 68% complete, leaving 32% outstanding.

The road is supposed to be about 33.4 kilometers with 10 lanes. Six of the 10 lanes are supposed to be for express, and then four for services and other connections. The road also includes four interchanges.

Completion requires $346.5 million, approximately GH¢34 billion. However, delays have compounded challenges for commuters, who continue to endure the deplorable condition of the stretch.

Budget shortfalls and compensation hurdles

According to the Ministry of Roads and Highways, only 47% of Ghana’s roads are in good condition. About 32% are fairly good, while 21% remain in a deplorable condition. Despite this, budget allocations to the sector are projected to drop by 30% this year.

A large share of funds is used for management and administration, leaving just GH¢1.2 billion for actual capital projects. By contrast, the Nsawam–Ofankor project alone requires more than GH¢34 billion.

The project has also stalled over compensation disputes. So far, the estimation is that compensation alone is expected to cover around 4.3 million Ghana cedis.

Ultimatum from transport operators

The deplorable condition of the Pokuase–Nsawam stretch poses both national and regional risks. The road serves as a critical link between Accra and Kumasi and provides a transit route for Burkina Faso and other Sahelian nations relying on Ghana’s ports. The GPRTU says it will only suspend its planned sit-down strike if the government resumes repair works immediately. The union insists the strike action is necessary to highlight the dangers created by the deplorable condition of the road.

For now, commuters, transport operators, and traders continue to struggle with the effects of the deplorable condition, awaiting clear government action before the ultimatum deadline.