The Minority Leader in Parliament, Osahen Alexander Afenyo-Markin, has urged African parliaments to strengthen their oversight of public finances and ensure that government institutions are held accountable for the use of public funds.
He said parliamentary oversight must go beyond approving government expenditure to ensuring that allocated resources are used for their intended purposes and deliver the expected benefits to citizens.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin made the call at the opening ceremony of the 6th African Organisation of Public Accounts Committees (AFROPAC) Conference and General Meeting held in Accra.
Speaking on the theme, “Oversight for Resilience: Strengthening Public Accounts Committees for Accountability in a Changing Financial Landscape,” he stressed the need for Parliament to demonstrate equal commitment to financial accountability, regardless of which political party holds power.
“Public financial accountability must never become a principle that we defend only when we occupy the opposition benches and conveniently disregard when entrusted with government power,” he said.
The Minority Leader noted that the responsibility to protect public resources requires the active participation of both majority and minority members of Parliament.
He said the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) must remain committed to its constitutional mandate and ensure that its work is guided by evidence rather than the political interests of the government of the day.
The Effutu MP also urged African parliaments to ensure that audit recommendations were implemented to prevent the recurrence of financial irregularities and losses.
He further argued that the ultimate purpose of financial accountability should be to build strong institutions capable of preventing the misuse of public funds rather than merely responding to financial losses after they occur.
Osahen Afenyo-Markin urged delegates to remain committed to their responsibilities, noting that their stewardship would have lasting implications for the continent's development.
“Africa is counting on us. Posterity will judge our stewardship. Let us rise to the occasion and deliver oversight that builds true resilience for our continent,” he said.
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