AG Discovers Infractions In Operations of NHIS Between  2011 and 2013


The Auditor General has in its 2011, 2012 and 2013 reports discovered several infractions in the operations of the National Health Insurance Scheme. 

The violations of the Financial Administration Regulation include payments into unauthorized Bank Account, Purchases not routed through store records and procurement without alternative quotations. 

These and other violations by Agencies under the Ministry of Health came-up during the Public hearing of the Public Accounts Committee in Parliament. 

On the procurement without alternative quotations at Offinso office of the NHIS, the auditors noted that in 2011, purchases worth 37,323 Ghana Cedis were made by management without obtaining alternative quotations contrary to Section 43(1) of the Public Procurement Act. 

The anomaly made it difficult for the auditors to ascertain whether fair prices were obtained. According to the Auditor General the omission could compromise transparency of obtaining value for money.
 
On the Payment into unauthorized account at Manhyia Sub-metro office of the NHIS, the auditors discovered that the office opened a new bank account with a savings and loan company into which payments totaling 327 thousand Ghana Cedis were deposited without prior approval from the controller and accountant general Department as required by the law. 

The Manager of the Manhyia Sub-metro office, Kwadwo Dwomoh answered the queries on the opening of the account.

The Public Accounts Committee also questioned the Director at the Ridge Hospital, Dr. Emmanuel Srofenyo on some unrecovered unearned salaries paid to some personnel of the Hospital. 

One other issue that cropped up was proceeds from the auctioning of the Ministry of Health’s Vehicles in 2012 which were unaccounted for.  
 
A little over 44 thousand Ghana Cedis was realized from the auction and the auctioneer, Shelter Mart had so far paid only seven thousand, leaving 37 thousand Ghana Cedis unaccounted for.


GBC