The issue of failure to serve the mandatory bond period after completion of course, full time study leave without refund of sponsorship amount, vacation of post and students indebtedness to Universities was the major part of irregularities cited in the 2021 Auditor-General’s Report when the Public Accounts Committee commenced its Zone three (3) Public Hearing in Ho, Volta Region.
According to the Chairman of the Committee, Hon. James Klutse-Avedzi, even though the issues the Auditor-General cited against institutions in Zone three which comprises Greater Accra, Eastern, Volta and Oti Regions were few as compared to the previous reports, it seems to be centred around the areas mentioned above, stressing that the institutions must take the necessary steps to stop all such errors.
He explained further that most of the institutions are beginning to follow the financial laws in the country and that might be the reason for fewer irregularities in the 2021 Report.
The Committee is in the Volta Region to consider the Report of the Auditor-General on the Public Accounts of Ghana – Polytechnics for the period ended 31st December 2021, The Management and Utilisation of District Assemblies Common Fund and Other Statutory Funds for the year ended 31st December, 2021 (Oti Region- DACF), The Accounts of District Assemblies (IGF) for the year ended 31sr December 2021 (Oti Region – IGF) including all MMDAs in the Oti Region cited in the two Reports and Pre-tertiary Educational Institutions for the Financial Year ended 31st December 2021 (Oti Region – SHSs as well as all Colleges of Education for the Oti Region for the year ended 31st December 2021.
In an interview with the media, the Chairman indicated that issues like delay accreditation of programmes in the Universities and staff on full time study leave without refund of sponsorship amount cut across all the Regions the Committee had visited so far.
He reiterated that the Committee has decided to meet GTEC and the Universities once it concludes the Zonal Public Hearing to find solutions to these problems before submitting its final report to Parliament.
The schools that appeared before the Committee were Ho Technical University, Accra Technical University and Koforidua Technical University.
