Speaking during a public discussion on governance and accountability, Kpebu argued that such a massive financial loss should not go without consequences.
According to him, the validation of the payments raises serious questions about the effectiveness of oversight mechanisms within the office of the Auditor-General of Ghana.
Kpebu stressed that the Auditor-General’s office is constitutionally mandated to protect public funds by auditing government accounts and exposing financial irregularities.
He therefore believes that the approval or validation of fraudulent payments of such magnitude represents a significant failure of responsibility.
“The officials who were in charge when these payments were validated must be held accountable,” Kpebu said. He added that accountability is necessary to restore public trust in Ghana’s financial management systems.
The legal practitioner further noted that allowing officials connected to the incident to remain in office could weaken public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption efforts. In his view, decisive action would send a strong signal that negligence or complicity in the management of public funds will not be tolerated.
Kpebu also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation into how the GH¢8.1 billion payments were approved. He said such an inquiry should determine whether the validation resulted from administrative lapses, deliberate misconduct, or systemic weaknesses within state institutions.
He urged the government and relevant authorities to take swift action to protect the integrity of public financial management in Ghana.
The issue has sparked wider debate among policy analysts, civil society groups, and members of the public. Many observers say the situation highlights the urgent need for stronger accountability measures within state institutions.
As the discussion continues, calls for transparency and reforms in the management of public funds are expected to intensify across the country.