Despite overspending its budget by GHS1.7 million on the construction of an office complex, the Gender, Children and Social Protection Ministry has abandoned work on it, citing inadequate funds.

This was uncovered by the Auditor General’s 2013 report in which work on the head office had stalled due to the non-release of funds by the central government.

According to sector Minister Nana Oye Lithur, who appeared before the Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday, June 29, due to unavailability of funds, the Ministry has suspended work on the project.

“Since January 2014, we have not had funds to continue with construction of the building. Presently, we have submitted requests for payment and we are awaiting payment, so the construction of the building has been suspended pending payment to the contractor,” she told the committee.

Asked what the Ministry had done with monies released to them for the construction of the building, Mrs. Lithur said: “The amount that was released was paid, that is GHS2,393,013.08; that was for the construction, and it was paid. These releases occurred on 3 September 2012 and 5 December 2012.”

She reiterated that the construction of the office complex has been suspended because “we have not received funds this year for that expenditure”.