James Klutse Avedzi, Chairman of the Parliamentary Public Accounts Committee (PAC), a body responsible for overseeing the management of public funds, has instructed the prosecution of Comfort Appiah, a teacher in Sunyani, for alleged involvement in a payroll irregularity.
This follows revelations of a scheme where unearned salaries were fraudulently obtained.
The Kintampo South District Education Directorate discovered the irregularity, reporting that Bismark Agyekum, a headteacher and payroll validator, had fled to California with a validation code.
This code enabled Agyekum to fraudulently access GH₵26,000 in unearned salary, which was then transferred to Comfort Appiah’s Sunyani account after being deposited into Agyekum’s account.
Daniel Yaw Appiah, the District Director of Education, provided these details to the PAC.
The Committee has raised concerns about possible collusion between the headteacher and the teacher and has referred the case to the Attorney-General’s office for further prosecution.
In a related development, Ray Ankrah, Deputy CEO of the Ghana Cocoa Board (COCOBOD) in charge of Finance and Administration, reported to the PAC that there is hope in addressing financial irregularities as GH₵200,000 out of GH₵1.8 million in unpaid funds has been recovered.
Ankrah also revealed that GH₵1.6 million of COCOBOD’s investments are locked with Zenith Bank due to the government’s Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP), a situation that is causing financial strain and affecting the Board’s operations.
The PAC’s public hearings in Accra have concluded, and the Committee is scheduled to continue its sessions in the regions next week, ensuring that the public remains informed about the Committee’s activities.
Representatives from the Ghana Police Service, Fire Service, Prisons Service, and Immigration Service also appeared before the Committee to address issues raised by the Auditor-General.
