Ghana’s public financial management system has come under renewed scrutiny after the Auditor-General uncovered GH¢5.27 billion in financial irregularities across Ministries, Departments and Agencies in 2025, marking a sharp 156.00% increase from the GH¢2.06 billion recorded a year earlier.
The findings point to one of the most significant accountability challenges facing the public sector, with auditors indicating that the entire amount is recoverable through refunds, surcharges or legal enforcement against responsible institutions and officials.
The surge was driven overwhelmingly by tax-related infractions, which accounted for GH¢4.80 billion, representing more than 91.00% of all irregularities recorded during the year.
The tax breaches included outstanding obligations by state institutions, unpaid VAT liabilities, uncollected statutory levies and weaknesses in enforcement by revenue authorities.
The scale of the tax-related findings raises fresh concerns about revenue administration at a time when Ghana is pursuing fiscal consolidation, domestic revenue mobilisation and tighter public expenditure controls.
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Among the largest cases identified were GH¢3.02 billion in accrued but unpaid taxes owed by 10 state institutions, GH¢701.80 million in unpaid VAT and related levies from nearly 8,000 registered taxpayers in Greater Accra, and GH¢8.30 million in unpaid Growth and Sustainability Levy obligations.
The Auditor-General also cited Enclave Power Ghana Limited for allegedly failing to settle duties and taxes on local sales valued at US$19.36 million.
The report recommended stronger enforcement by the Ghana Revenue Authority to recover outstanding amounts and improve compliance.
