The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has directed the University of Ghana to recover funds paid to senior staff members who went on study leave but failed to return to their posts for over five years.
Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University, appeared before the Committee on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, and confirmed that the University has already begun processes to retrieve the money from the affected staff. She disclosed that an additional GHC 555,283 categorized as unearned salaries is also being recovered, with some cases being handled in collaboration with the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).
“We have made some recoveries in this regard; some are fully paid, some are on payment plans, and there are a few cases where we have not made progress in contacting the individuals, for which we have sought the support of EOCO,” Professor Amfo stated during the hearing.
The Committee emphasized the need for the University to accelerate the recovery process. Members also called for stronger internal monitoring systems to prevent similar financial irregularities from occurring in the future.
The directive comes amid ongoing parliamentary scrutiny of public institutions’ financial management. Study leave arrangements typically require staff members to return to their positions for a specified period after completing their studies, ensuring that the institution benefits from the investment made in their professional development.
While Professor Amfo indicated that some staff have fully repaid the amounts owed and others are on structured payment plans, she acknowledged challenges in reaching certain individuals. This prompted the University’s decision to involve EOCO, which handles economic crimes and asset recovery.
The University of Ghana has not disclosed the total number of affected staff members or the complete sum of money involved in the recovery effort beyond the GHC 555,283 in unearned salaries. However, the Vice-Chancellor’s testimony suggests the institution is taking a multi-pronged approach, combining direct negotiations with legal and enforcement mechanisms where necessary.
Parliamentary oversight committees routinely examine public institutions’ accounts to ensure accountability and proper use of state resources. The PAC’s intervention reflects growing concerns about financial discipline in Ghana’s tertiary education sector, with similar recovery efforts being pursued at other government institutions.
