Talensi Assembly says cash payments of GH¢181,170 was for refreshments

The Talensi District Assembly has attributed GH¢181,170 in cash transactions flagged by the Auditor-General in its 2024 audit report to payments for refreshments and other food-related expenses incurred during the year.

The Assembly offered the explanation on Thursday, October 29, 2026, when the issue was raised before Parliament’s Select Committee on Local Government and Rural Development.

An official representing the Assembly told the committee that cash payments had become necessary because some local suppliers in the district were unwilling to accept cheques, citing delays in their processing.

He explained that the amount represented payments made throughout the year for items, particularly refreshments, procured for meetings and other official activities.

The clarification was in response to the Auditor-General’s concerns over the Assembly’s reliance on cash transactions. The official said management had taken note of the issues raised regarding the payment method.

Separately, the audit report identified GH¢251,778.81 in expenditure from the District Assemblies Common Fund and other statutory funds allocated to the Assembly in 2024 for which the required supporting documents were unavailable.

The auditors have recommended that the officials responsible for the expenditure refund the amount.