The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has announced plans to require officials from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) to attend its public hearings.

This measure aims to enhance accountability and prevent false claims by public officers.

Chairperson of the Committee, Abena Osei Asare, explained that the decision stems from a concerning trend where some public officials seek to evade scrutiny by asserting that their financial infractions have been reported to EOCO, claims she described as often untrue and unsubstantiated.

“some public officials attempt to avoid scrutiny by claiming their financial infractions have been reported to EOCO, assertions she says are often untrue and unsubstantiated.”

From now on, EOCO representatives will attend hearings to verify such claims in real time, ensuring greater transparency.

This initiative follows a frustrating pattern observed during the Committee's three-day zonal public hearing in the Western Region.

There, some officials repeatedly deflected questions by insisting their cases were already under investigation by EOCO or had been cleared by the agency, without providing supporting documentation.

Ms. Abena Osei Asare voiced concern that certain institutions are employing EOCO as a “shield” to evade accountability, despite failing to substantiate their claims.

She stressed the need for stricter checks, stating that EOCO officials will now be physically present at hearings to prevent what she described as “vague and misleading excuses” and to eliminate reliance on what she called “phantom investigations.”