PAC Gives KTU 90 Days to Recover GH¢817,000 in Wrongful Salary Payments

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has issued a stern ultimatum to Koforidua Technical University (KTU) management to recover GH¢817,000 in wrongful salary payments within 90 days, warning that the university’s principal officers could be held personally liable if the debt is not refunded to the state.

The directive, handed down on Thursday, November 6, 2025, follows revelations in the Auditor-General’s Report detailing a systemic breakdown of internal controls. The report indicated that five staff members received salaries for nearly two years despite being absent from their posts, either abroad or on unapproved study leave.

Appearing before the PAC, KTU’s Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Richard Ohene Asiedu, stated that efforts were underway to locate the lecturers involved. However, he disclosed that the university had recovered less than GH¢20,000, less than 2.5% of the total amount owed.

Deputy Chairman of the PAC, Samuel Atta Mills, rejected the explanation, describing the incident as “gross negligence” and evidence of weak internal controls. He warned that the situation could amount to a “conspiracy to defraud the state,” highlighting that three of the five affected staff had failed to sign mandatory bonds requiring their return to KTU after study leave.

“This is government money, our money. GH¢817,000 on separated staff, and yet you cannot contact any of these people or produce a payment plan. It looks to me like planned chaos,” Mr Atta Mills said.

The PAC has set a strict 90-day deadline for the university to recover the funds from the absent staff and their guarantors. Failure to do so will result in the principal officers being personally surcharged for the full amount. The countdown ends in early February 2026, marking a critical test of accountability for KTU management.