The Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Nwabiagya North in the Ashanti Region, Hon. Frank Yeboah, has joined lawmakers from across West Africa in Abuja, Nigeria, for the 11th Annual Conference and General Assembly of the West Africa Association of Public Accounts Committees (WAAPAC). The high-level gathering, running from September 8 to 13, 2025, brings together parliamentary representatives and oversight bodies from across the sub-region to deliberate on ways to improve fiscal transparency and accountability.
This year’s conference is being held under the theme: “Strengthening Parliamentary Oversight of Public Debt: The Role of Finance and Public Accounts Committees.” The theme highlights the urgent need for stronger mechanisms to monitor borrowing, ensure financial discipline, and safeguard the economic future of West African nations, many of which are grappling with rising debt burdens.
In his remarks, Hon. Yeboah stressed that public debt management remains one of the most pressing economic challenges in the region and called for a unified approach to ensure borrowing is sustainable and development-oriented. “Public debt remains one of the biggest challenges for our region, and as representatives of our people, it is our duty to ensure that borrowing is responsible, transparent, and directed toward the true development needs of our countries,” he said.
As a sitting member of Ghana’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Hon. Yeboah emphasized that Ghana’s participation in WAAPAC conferences provides invaluable opportunities to learn from other West African countries and adopt best practices that strengthen parliamentary oversight of public resources. “The lessons and best practices we share here will go a long way in strengthening our work back home — ensuring that every cedi borrowed and spent is accounted for in the interest of the Ghanaian people,” he added.
The five-day event will feature a combination of keynote addresses, panel discussions, technical workshops, and strategy sessions. Participants will exchange ideas on innovative ways to improve fiscal governance, debt sustainability, and the auditing processes that underpin transparency in government spending. The conference will also provide a platform for regional legislators to enhance cooperation, improve oversight frameworks, and strengthen capacity to fight corruption and mismanagement of public funds.
WAAPAC, which has become a cornerstone of fiscal governance in West Africa, was established to promote good governance, transparency, and accountability through peer learning and collaboration among Public Accounts Committees. Its annual conference serves as a critical platform for strengthening the role of parliaments in overseeing national budgets, public debt, and government programs.
Hon. Yeboah’s participation in this year’s assembly reaffirms Ghana’s commitment to building robust systems of financial oversight and transparency, particularly at a time when the country continues to implement fiscal reforms to stabilize its economy.
He expressed optimism that the deliberations in Abuja would deliver actionable recommendations that will empower lawmakers across the region to better safeguard their nations’ financial stability and advance economic growth. “I look forward to the conversations, collaborations, and innovative ideas that will emerge this week — all in the spirit of accountability and good governance,” Hon. Yeboah concluded.
The conference, which has drawn participants from all 15 ECOWAS member states, is expected to end with a resolution to reinforce the institutional capacity of Public Accounts Committees and strengthen parliamentary scrutiny of government borrowing and expenditure.
