Urban Roads Accountant fraudulently withdraws GHS1.5 million from department’s account

The Auditor-General has released a report that cites the Greater Accra Regional Accountant of the Department of Urban Roads, Mr. Mohammed Osman Amin, for embezzling over GHS1.5 million.

The report found that Mr. Amin altered the figures on approved cheques totaling GHS214,730 to fraudulently withdraw GHS1,799,509.38.

The report states that between January 2020 and March 2022, the Ag. Regional Director approved a total amount of GH¢214,730.00 to be withdrawn for various activities. However, Mr. Amin altered the amounts in figures and words on the various cheques after approval by the Ag. Regional Director and withdrew a total amount of GH¢1,799,509.38 from their bank account numbers 1018631538614 and 1018631538557, resulting in a fraudulent withdrawal of GH¢1,584,779.38.

This goes against Section 7 of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921) which provides that a Principal Spending Officer of a covered entity shall ensure the regularity and proper use of money appropriated in that covered entity and in the exercise of duties establish an effective system of risk management, internal control, and internal audit in respect of the resources and transactions of a covered entity.

While confirming that Mr. Amin has so far refunded GH¢50,000.00 out of the fraudulently withdrawn money, the Auditor-General has directed that the Chief Director of the Department of Urban Roads should ensure that the remaining GH¢1,534,779.38 is recovered.

The Auditor-General also recommended that disciplinary action should be taken against Mr. Amin.

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The Auditor-General’s report has found that Mr. Amin engaged in fraudulent activity by altering the figures on approved cheques and withdrawing more money than what was authorized. The report has recommended that the Chief Director of the Department of Urban Roads should ensure that the remaining money is recovered and that disciplinary action be taken against Mr. Amin.