The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed that GH₵18,260.82 in unearned salaries paid to a former staff member of Bassa Senior High School be recovered from the Sene East District Education Officer who validated the payments, within 30 days.
The decision follows findings in the Auditor-General’s report, which flagged irregular salary payments made to the school’s former Principal Superintendent, Mr. Isaac Okwanpah.
According to the report, Mr. Okwanpah vacated his post but continued to receive salaries between November 2023 and February 2024, amounting to GH₵18,260.82.
School authorities told the Committee that efforts to recover the funds from the affected officer had been unsuccessful.
The Committee therefore held that responsibility should be transferred to the District Education Officer who approved the payments.
Presiding over the sitting, Ranking Member of the Committee, Samuel Atta Mills, ordered the refund within 30 days.
“The person at the District who validated this man should pay this amount of money within 30 days and then he can go after Mr Okwanpah for his money. This person is still at the District Office, and he will probably go to Accra for promotion,” he stated.
The directive forms part of PAC’s broader efforts to tighten payroll controls and curb irregular salary payments in the public sector.
