Salary infractions persist in public sector – CAGD

The Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Agyei, has raised an alarm over ongoing salary-related irregularities within the public sector, particularly among agencies under the Ministry of Education.

Speaking during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing, Mr. Agyei highlighted several troubling cases, including unpaid and overpaid salaries, payments made to individuals on study leave, and even allowances disbursed to deceased persons.

Speaking again on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Mr. Agyei emphasised that although these issues persist, his department merely disburses funds that have already been verified and approved by the appropriate authorities.

“We only process payments that have been validated. The responsibility lies with those who authorize and confirm these disbursements,” he stated.

He also voiced concern that the focus often remains on recovering lost funds rather than addressing the root causes of the problem.

“It’s troubling that once recovered salaries are returned, we consider the matter resolved,” he said.

“Yes, the money is recovered but who approved it in the first place? Who validated and processed those payments before they reached my office?”

Mr. Agyei further stressed the need to shift the focus from recovery to accountability.

“If the payment was for an allowance someone was entitled to, who initiated it, and under what circumstances? Our goal now is not just to recover funds, but to thoroughly investigate the full process to identify where the system is failing,” he added.