Accra: A banking consultant, Dr. Richmond Atuahene, has expressed skepticism over the government's plan to establish a specialized court for auditors. Speaking on Starr FM's Morning Show, Morning Star on June 15, 2026, he argued that the best option will be to strengthen institutional capacity and internal controls in tackling financial malfeasance in Ghana's public financial management system.
According to Ghana Web, Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson recently announced plans to set up the auditors' court as part of efforts to enhance oversight of internal auditors and improve accountability in the management of public resources. However, Dr. Atuahene downplayed the potential impact of the specialized court, urging authorities to prioritize systemic reforms instead.
Dr. Atuahene questioned the rationale behind the proposal, asking, "I don't know where this one is coming from. Have they looked at the Constitution?" He noted that the Constitution already establishes the High Court, Appeal Court, and Supreme Court for financial malfeasance, highlighting practical challenges in the judicial system.
The banking analyst pointed out that financial crime cases often take up to two years to resolve. "It's not the court that matters. There are weaknesses and internal weaknesses in the systems," he said, stressing the need to build capacity before creating new judicial structures. He questioned whether the country has the necessary legal and judicial expertise in finance and accounting to effectively operate such a court.
According to Dr. Atuahene, simply announcing a new court will not solve the underlying problems. "You don't set another court when you don't even have the competencies, the skills, and the abilities," he stated. He urged policymakers to review the entire operational system and build a robust internal control system to reduce financial malfeasance.
When asked whether the solution lies in systemic fixes rather than dedicating a particular court to audit-related cases, Dr. Atuahene agreed, expressing doubt that courts alone can effectively address financial misconduct. He emphasized that the nature of the system could take years to resolve such issues.
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Atuahene underscored that the establishment of a new court is not a panacea for financial malfeasance, urging a focus on systemic improvements instead. "Because the way the system is, it will take years and years and years to stop it," he stated.