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The Tax Justice Coalition is demanding more information from government agencies to determine the whereabouts of the 52 billion GHS that are said to have been diverted from GCB Bank.
According to the Coalition, the alleged diversion of funds from GCB Bank amounts to a lack of discipline in protecting the public purse and the public deserves more information in this regard.
His request follows a letter currently circulating on social media with the title “Audit Service Reports of ¢ 52.5 Billion Transferred from GCB Bank to Unknown Sources.”
GCB Bank Limited (GCB) was quick to respond to the indictment by claiming that the content of the post is false and maliciously designed to discredit the bank.
“We hereby deny the allegations that the GCB made unauthorized transfers. Furthermore, we have assured all of our stakeholders that GCB, as a bank of international reputation, conducts its activities in accordance with sound banking principles, ”the bank said in a press release.
Meanwhile, the Audit Service has clarified that the leaked letter is only part of the document in an ongoing audit exercise.
According to the Audit Service, the audit requested by the Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, is to confirm the transfer of receipts from various transit accounts held by commercial banks to the respective Retention Accounts of the Bank of Ghana from 2015 to the date.
According to the Service, some funds were found to be missing during the audit exercise.
However, he noted that with the help of participating commercial banks and the central bank, some of the money has been traced.
However, the Coalition for Tax Justice is requesting further clarification on the matter from the Audit Service, stating that the Audit Service’s response is a bit confusing “and we Ghanaians deserve much better.”
Salifu Kanton, who spoke on behalf of the Tax Justice Coalition at Joy FMs Midday News, said Tuesday that the clarity situation becomes even more dire due to the lack of a substantive auditor general and special counsel.
He said: “As things stand now, we don’t know where clarity can be achieved, given the backdrop that our country currently appears to be naked because we now don’t have a substantive Auditor General to respond to these issues and ensure that it is applied. greater clarity.
“Currently we do not have a Special Prosecutor, we have one in office. Therefore, the anti-corruption agencies that would normally have to investigate these issues and provide clarity are somewhat dysfunctional and public trust in these agencies appears to be significantly declining given the development we have seen.
He added that the apparent lack of clarity on the part of the Audit Service is very worrying and discouraging, which is why he asks them to provide a detailed explanation of the allegedly diverted funds.
“But you have said this, it is quite disheartening to see the magnitude and volumes of money that we are talking about. Clearly from the letters we have seen, the audit service appeared to have not seen that the transaction it was auditing was complete.
“And if it’s been part of an audit process, it’s a very rigorous process where auditees are required to submit documentation, and those documents when they need additional information or are missing gaps, the auditees need to provide that.
“So for us to see this letter and see the volumes involved that the audit service does not seem to be convinced in terms of its integrity, it is very disturbing and discouraging for Ghanaians,” said Salifu Kanton.
He called on the Audit Service to provide clear information on the amount of money that has allegedly been disclosed by GCB Bank.
“Looking ahead, we need clarity. And clarity especially from the Audit Service. What is the level of satisfaction they are saying now in relation to this number? How much of that amount is not being accounted for as we speak? Because these are clear issues that we need to know. “
