PIAC fails to verify GH‵21m petroleum-funded projects in Ayawaso West

The Public Interest and Accountability Committee (PIAC) has reported that it could not verify four infrastructure projects valued at approximately GH‵21 million during a monitoring visit to the Ayawaso West Municipality. These projects, which were supposed to be financed through petroleum revenues, remained untraceable during the field inspection due to a combination of vague project descriptions and a lack of cooperation from relevant state institutions.

While the monitoring team was able to identify and assess three road projects and one Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compound in the area, four other significant projects remained unaccounted for. These missing developments include various rehabilitation works that were listed as being funded by oil revenues but lacked specific geographical markers or detailed descriptions. The inability to locate these projects raises questions about the accuracy of reporting regarding the allocation and utilization of petroleum funds in the municipality.

Isaac Dwamena, the Executive Secretary of PIAC, highlighted significant challenges in the verification process, specifically citing a lack of response from the Ministry of Roads and Highways. According to the committee, the Ministry has not provided the necessary documentation or guidance required to facilitate the physical inspection of these road-related works. This lack of inter-agency communication has created a substantial barrier for PIAC in fulfilling its statutory mandate to provide independent oversight of petroleum revenue management.

The inspection is part of PIAC’s broader mission to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money in the use of Ghana's oil wealth. The committee emphasized that proper communication and detailed project labeling are essential for effective monitoring. PIAC intends to continue its engagement with the relevant ministries to secure the necessary data, ensuring that all petroleum-funded projects are properly accounted for and provide the intended benefits to the public.