The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has directed the Ministry of Health to investigate GH¢13 million spent by the National Vaccine Institute on training, seminars and conferences in 2025.
The directive followed the Institute’s appearance before the Committee to respond to findings in the 2025 Auditor-General’s Report, which showed that its financial position shifted from a profit of GH¢36 million to a loss of GH¢21 million within the financial year.
The expenditure was disclosed during the Institute’s appearance before the Committee on Friday, October 9, 2026.
Chief Executive Officer of the National Vaccine Institute, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey told the Committee that the expenditure covered training activities involving partnerships with eight universities in the country, as well as meetings and other engagements.
“Training and conferences and seminars is about GH¢13 million. We have partnerships with about eight universities in the country, so whenever we organise meetings that bring all the universities together, that falls under trainings,” a representative explained.
The representative also cited a vaccine investment forum organised by the Institute, which brought together bankers to discuss financing for vaccine manufacturing.
“Last year, we organised a vaccine investment forum where we brought the bankers because vaccine manufacturing is capital intensive,” the representative said.
However, PAC Chairperson, Abena Osei-Asare questioned the scale of the expenditure and asked the Ministry of Health to examine how the funds were used.
“Training and conferences alone is GH¢13 million. Can you share with us what kind of training and conferences you attended that in a year, you incur GH¢13 million?” she asked.
She further described the GH¢13.1 million expenditure on conferences and seminars as high for a single financial year and urged the Health Minister to investigate the matter.
“Yes, but you understand that GH¢13.1 million for conferences and seminars is a bit on the high side for one financial year. Respectfully, Minister, please look into it for us,” she said.
The Ministry of Health is expected to examine the expenditure in response to the Committee’s directive.
