Financial irregularities recorded across five audited sectors declined by 62.9 per cent in 2025, falling from about GH¢20.72 billion in 2024 to GH¢7.69 billion.

Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, disclosed the figures during an engagement on the 2025 Auditor-General’s Reports with Chief Directors, Chief Executive Officers and heads of covered entities.

The reduction amounts to about GH¢13.03 billion and exceeded the government’s target of reducing financial irregularities by 50 per cent in 2025.

Mr Nyarko Ampem said the 62.9 per cent reduction exceeded the target by 12.9 percentage points.

“I am pleased to report that, taken together, financial irregularities across these five sectors declined from approximately GH¢20.72 billion in 2024 to GH¢7.69 billion in 2025,” he said.

“This represents a reduction of approximately GH¢13.03 billion, or 62.9 per cent. This is a significant achievement.”

The five sectors covered by the 2025 reports are ministries, departments and agencies; metropolitan, municipal and district assemblies; the District Assemblies Common Fund; public boards and state-owned enterprises; and public universities and colleges of education.

According to the Deputy Finance Minister, the improvement reflects efforts to strengthen public financial management, internal controls and accountability.

“This improvement demonstrates that when there is deliberate attention to public financial management, stronger controls and greater accountability, measurable results can be achieved,” he said.

The engagement also focused on the findings of the Auditor-General’s Reports and the responsibility of heads of public institutions to address weaknesses identified in the audits.

The heads of institutions were urged to strengthen compliance and prevent the recurrence of financial irregularities.

While the figures represent a significant reduction, the GH¢7.69 billion recorded in 2025 remains the total irregularities identified across the five sectors covered by the reports.