UTAG-UG demands Auditor-General’s resignation
The University of Ghana Chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) is calling for the immediate resignation of the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, citing a controversial payroll audit report.
The demands follow a payroll verification audit issued by the Auditor-General’s office, which alleged that the University of Ghana has overstated employee compensation by GH¢59.2 million for the period between 2022 and 2024.
In response, UTAG-UG has vehemently rejected these findings, labelling the report as misleading and incorrect.
The association argues that the audit has damaged the reputation of both the university and its staff, without giving them the chance to respond to or clarify any discrepancies.
During a press conference on Tuesday, May 20, UTAG-UG General Secretary Jerry Joe Harrison criticised the Auditor-General for ethical misconduct, asserting that the manner in which the report was prepared raises questions about his suitability for the role.
“It appears to us that the audit service is more interested in appearing to be working rather than doing the right thing, and in so doing, they ignore ethical standards that guide their profession,” he said.
Harrison also emphasised that the University of Ghana was not allowed to review or comment on the audit’s findings before they were publicly announced.
“The University of Ghana maintains that the audit report was not shared with them for them to make comments and clarify any discrepancies before this was made public. This is unfair and unethical. This is a serious breach of the ethics required of the audit service and the profession.”
Due to what they consider a failure to uphold professional standards, UTAG-UG is demanding accountability.
“For the Auditor-General to sit in his office and preside over such an institution that disregards ethical standard practice, we are hereby calling for the resignation of the Auditor-General, or we will petition the President for him to be removed,” Harrison declared.