Speaker Bagbin urges PAC to detain officials who fail to account for public funds

The Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, has called on members of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) to exercise their oversight mandate with courage and firmness, urging them to invoke their legal powers to detain individuals who misconduct themselves during hearings when necessary.

He stressed that the committee must be prepared to take appropriate action against public officials who fail to conduct themselves properly, warning that its responsibility to promote accountability should not be treated lightly.

Speaking at the African Organisation of Public Accounts Committees Conference, Mr Bagbin drew on his experience as a former PAC member, recalling instances when he ordered the detention of individuals during committee proceedings to maintain discipline.

He described the committee as a critical institution in ensuring that public funds are properly managed and applied in the interest of citizens.

Mr Bagbin urged PAC members to be bold enough to challenge public officials and other persons in positions of authority when they act wrongly, adding that they must also be prepared to enforce the law where circumstances demand it.

He explained that the committee's authority was rooted in the confidence citizens place in government to manage the country's resources on their behalf.

According to him, PAC members have a duty to ensure that public officials account for their stewardship and use state resources for the collective benefit of the population.

He, therefore, urged members to carry out their responsibilities diligently, emphasising that accountability in public service must never be compromised.

“You must have that courage to be able to tell those in power that you got it wrong, and you must have the courage to go beyond that. It’s permitted that during the hearings, when there’s any misbehaviour, you can apply the law, and you have the opportunity of sending people into detention during the hearings of the Public Accounts Committee, to let people know that this is serious business, and they were detained overnight. The next day, when they come back, they will behave correctly.

He added: “So this is not a business to be toyed with. It’s real serious business. That is what governance is about and you have that mandate. That mandate is given to you because you compel everybody, as a representative, to put all their resources at the disposal of those who have elected to lead us, called government.”