University of Ghana ordered to recover funds from staff on study leave

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has directed the University of Ghana to recover funds allegedly paid to senior staff members who went on study leave but failed to return to their posts for over five years. 

According to Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, Vice-Chancellor of the University, the institution had already begun processes to retrieve the outstanding amounts from the affected individuals. 

“Mr Chairman, 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 Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO),” she stated. 

Prof. Appiah Amfo made the remarks on Wednesday when she appeared before the PAC in Parliament House, Accra. 

In addition to the funds paid during study leave, the university is also recovering GH₵555,283 in unearned salaries, with some cases being pursued with the assistance of the EOCO. 

PAC has urged the university to expedite the recovery process and implement stronger internal monitoring systems to prevent similar financial irregularities in the future. This move is part of efforts to ensure accountability and proper use of state resources in Ghana’s public institutions. 

Source: GNA