By Prince Ahenkorah
A transport contractor has reimbursed the Ghanaian government GH¢19.1 million following an Auditor-General’s report that uncovered overpayments for grain haulage.
The refund, confirmed by Deputy Finance Minister Thomas Nyarko Ampem before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee on 30 March, is being cited by officials as early evidence that a broader audit of GH¢68 billion in arrears is yielding results.
The case centres on Rans Logistics, a transport services firm. According to the audit findings presented to Parliament on 10 March, the company received excess payments for transporting grains. Within a week, on 17 March, Rans Logistics repaid the identified overpayment.
But the financial discrepancies run deeper. Ampem told the committee that the audit also found the company had received an additional benefit of more than 7,000 metric tonnes of rice beyond what was contractually due.
The government is now demanding that Rans Logistics either account for or refund the value of the excess rice.
The Attorney-General’s Department is reviewing the case, Ampem said, and will determine appropriate legal and administrative action. He described the refund as “clear evidence that the audit was necessary and timely”, adding that the exercise is already safeguarding state resources.
The development will be watched closely by other contractors cited in the Auditor-General’s report. Officials have signalled that further recoveries and prosecutions are likely as the review of the GH¢68 billion arrears continues.