The Deputy Finance Minister, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, has disclosed that GHC 10.5 million was deposited into a fictitious "Buffer Account" during the previous administration. This revelation emerged from an Auditor-General's report concerning arrears and payables.

During recent parliamentary proceedings, Ampem emphasised that the payment was made to a bank account referred to as the "Buffer Account" at a commercial bank.

However, upon verification, the bank confirmed that no such payment had been received. The account number provided did not exist in the bank's records and failed to conform to the bank's account numbering format.

"Payment of GHC 10.5 million was recorded as having been made into an account named the 'Buffer Account' at the commercial bank.

"Upon verification, the bank confirmed that it had never received such payment; the account number sighted did not exist in the bank's records and did not even conform to its numbering format," he stated.

Hon. Ampem further highlighted that evidence from the audit pointed to a completely fictitious account. As a consequence of this fabricated account, which is linked to the 'One District, One Factory' initiative, he called for a forensic audit of the entire 1D1F scheme.

He assured that the forensic audit will be conducted soon, especially considering that the government is reported to have spent GHC 391 million towards 1D1F interest subsidies by the end of 2024.