Accra: The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has directed the recovery of GHS17,703.28 from a Donkorkrom teacher, Mr. Stephen Akomeah, who allegedly received transport allowance meant for physically challenged teachers for three years. This allowance, which was intended to support teachers with disabilities, was paid despite Mr. Akomeah having no known disabilities.
According to Ghana News Agency, Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, appeared before PAC in Parliament House, Accra, describing the incident as a 'serious act of criminality' that should have been reported earlier. Dr. Apaak expressed concern over the alleged lack of records at the Ministry regarding the wrongful payments.
The PAC Chairperson, Madam Abena Osei Asare, has ordered the Donkorkrom District Education Director and the District Accountant to recover the full amount within 30 days. She emphasized that the money must be paid into the Auditor General's Recovery Account, highlighting systemic lapses in the education sector.
The PAC public hearing, which began on August 19 and will run until August 26, is set to examine the Auditor-General's report on MDAs for the year ended December 31, 2024. The recovery of the wrongful payment is part of the PAC's ongoing efforts to ensure accountability and transparency in the use of public funds.
