Rans Logistics, a company implicated in the Auditor-General’s special report for alleged multiple infractions, has refunded GH¢19.1 million to the state just a week after the report’s release.
The company was flagged for overpayments related to grain transportation and the disappearance of thousands of tonnes of rice and maize.
Appearing before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament public hearing on Monday in Parliament, Mr. Thomas Ampem Nyarko, Deputy Finance Minister, hailed the refund as a testament to the audit’s effectiveness in protecting public resources.
“Mr. Chairman, on March 10, I presented the findings of the audit to Parliament. Exactly a week later, on March 17, one of the companies identified—Rans Logistics—has gone ahead to refund GH¢19.1 million to the state,” he said.
The audit revealed that Rans Logistics was paid for over 7,000 metric tons of rice that were allegedly unaccounted for.
Mr. Ampem Nyarko emphasised that the company was expected to reimburse the value of the missing rice. “We are expecting the value of these 7000 metric tons of rice to be reimbursed as well. ” The Attorney General is working with his team to recommend the right course of action for all identified infractions,” he told the Committee.
The Deputy Minister stressed that the audit’s primary objective was to safeguard public funds, adding that “this example showed the importance of the audit.” It was intended to protect state resources, and it is already beginning to achieve its purpose,” he said.
GNA