Auditor-General uncovers highest financial irregularities of GH¢5.26bn in 2025 from GH¢2.06bn in 2024

Ghana’s public finances took a significant blow in 2025 after the Auditor-General uncovered financial irregularities exceeding GH¢5.26 billion across ministries, departments and government agencies (MDAs), with tax-related breaches accounting for the overwhelming majority of the losses.

The revelations are contained in the Auditor-General’s Report on the Public Accounts of Ghana: Ministries, Departments and other Agencies (MDAs) for the year ended December 31, 2025, which highlights growing concerns over financial management weaknesses and revenue leakages within the public sector.

The report indicates that total irregularities amounted to GH¢5,266,315,079 in 2025, representing the highest figure recorded within the past five years and more than twice the amount reported in 2024.

Tax-related irregularities were identified as the largest contributor, accounting for more than 91 percent of the total figure. The Auditor-General recorded tax irregularities of GH¢4.8 billion, alongside additional tax-related breaches amounting to US$154,976.

Other areas of concern included cash irregularities, which amounted to GH¢410.7 million, while debts, loans and advances recorded irregularities of GH¢29.3 million.

Payroll management also came under scrutiny, with anomalies totalling nearly GH¢20 million, raising concerns over possible unauthorised payments and weaknesses in government payroll controls. Additional irregularities were identified in areas including contracts, stores management and rent collections.

The report further revealed a sharp upward trend in public sector financial irregularities over the past five years.

In 2021, irregularities recorded by the Auditor-General stood at slightly above GH¢1.08 billion. The figure increased to GH¢1.41 billion in 2022 before rising significantly to more than GH¢2.4 billion in 2023.

Although the amount declined marginally to about GH¢2.06 billion in 2024, financial irregularities surged to a record GH¢5.26 billion in 2025.

Tax-related breaches have remained the major driver of the increase, rising from GH¢989 million in 2021 to GH¢1.25 billion in 2022 and GH¢2.16 billion in 2023. The figure fell to GH¢1.58 billion in 2024 before climbing sharply to GH¢4.8 billion in 2025.

Cash irregularities also recorded a significant rise during the period, increasing from GH¢45.8 million in 2021 to GH¢410.7 million in 2025, highlighting persistent challenges in public financial controls and accountability systems.