Public sector salary infractions troubling, recovery not enough – Controller and Accountant General
Kwasi Agyei, the Controller and Accountant General, has raised concern over persistent salary-related infractions in the public sector, particularly within agencies under the Ministry of Education.
He said the irregularities include unpaid salaries, overpaid salaries, and cases where monies were disbursed to individuals on study leave, as well as allowances paid to persons who may have passed away.
The issue came to light during the Public Accounts Committee hearing, where several government agencies were cited for such irregularities.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Mr. Agyei clarified that while the problem continues, his department only disburses funds that have already been validated by the relevant authorities.
He stressed that the responsibility lies with those who authorized and validated the payments.
“It is a worrying situation, but it appears that once the recovered salaries have been paid, then it is like we are happy. Indeed, we have recovered that money, but we have to go back to the root cause. Who caused it, validated and processed it for the money to be paid to the Controller and Accountant General?”
Mr. Agyei further noted that the department intends to go beyond simply recovering funds and rather identify accountability gaps in the process.
“For instance, if the monies paid are allowances the person is entitled to, then who processed it for it to be paid at the Controller and Accountant General? This is what we want—to go beyond just the recovery and go deep into the whole process,” he added.
Source: William Narh
