••
Manasseh Azure Awuni’s 'Auditing the Auditor-General' Probe Reveals GH₵775 Million 'Wasted' on COVID-19 Fumigation
•2 min read•1 source
Investigative journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni has sparked national debate with revelations from his latest probe, "Auditing the Auditor-General," which claims the Ghanaian government spent 775 million Ghana cedis on COVID-19 fumigation and disinfection. This massive expenditure, highlighted during a recent interview on GBC News, was reportedly allocated despite World Health Organization (WHO) guidance suggesting such surface-level measures were largely ineffective against what was known to be an airborne virus. The investigation suggests that the government prioritized expensive spraying campaigns over scientifically backed pandemic response strategies.
The report identifies the Ministry of Education as the largest spender, directing 316.1 million cedis toward fumigation efforts, while the Ministry of Local Government followed closely with 299 million cedis. According to Awuni, these expenditures represent a significant misuse of public resources during the Nana Akufo-Addo administration. The probe further alleges that these contracts were often awarded without competitive procurement processes or sufficient governmental oversight, leading to concerns about inflated costs and the lack of value for money in the state’s response to the public health crisis.
Beyond the financial figures, the investigation highlights a significant opportunity cost for Ghana’s healthcare system. Awuni argued that the 775 million cedis—which he described as being "sprayed into thin air"—could have significantly improved the country's medical infrastructure. He pointed to the dire state of many healthcare facilities, suggesting that the funds could have been used to provide essential equipment, renovate clinics, or build new hospitals that would serve Ghanaians long after the pandemic ended.
These revelations have intensified calls for greater accountability regarding the management of emergency funds. As the public processes these findings, the report serves as a critical assessment of how public funds are utilized during national emergencies. The implications of the probe suggest a need for more rigorous auditing and scientific consultation to ensure that future emergency expenditures are both financially prudent and evidence-based, protecting the nation's treasury and public health simultaneously.
