The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has directed the Deputy Head of Human Resources (HR) at the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology (MEST) to refund an amount of GH¢31,847.00.
This follows revelations in the Auditor-General’s Report that Ibrahim Muniru allegedly continued to validate the salary of Abdul-Hakeem Iddrisu, an employee who had vacated his post.
According to the report, Abdul-Hakeem Iddrisu was absent from work for a total of 109 working days between March and August 2024, despite receiving two absenteeism queries from his immediate supervisor.
Despite these red flags, the Deputy HR allegedly continued to authorise payments, a move the Committee described as a clear breach of financial regulations and administrative procedures.
During PAC’s public hearing on Wednesday in Parliament House, Accra, Samuel Atta-Mills, the Ranking Member of the Committee, gave a 90-day ultimatum for Mr Muniru to refund the money.
“Madam [referring to the HR of the ministry], we will make it simple; whoever did the validation will pay GH¢31,847.00 as ruled.
“Auditors make sure that the person pays. He’s in the office; he’s probably watching us. He has to pay GH¢31,847.00, and we’re giving him 90 days to pay this amount,” he said.
On her part, Abena Osei-Asare, the Chairperson of the Committee, in her reaction said: “You knew he wasn’t at work; his supervisor had written a query that had been raised, and yet you kept paying him. All these things were brought to your attention, yet the validator kept validating.”
PAC on Monday, September 29, reconvened to continue its public hearings to review the Auditor-General’s report for the year ending December 31, 2024.
The Committee has been scrutinising various government Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) for alleged financial irregularities.
Among the agencies and ministries appearing before the Committee are the Ghana Statistical Service, the Ministry of Health, the Ghana Health Service, the Ministry for the Interior, the Ministry of Justice and the Attorney General’s Department, and the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs.
Others are the Ministry of Sports and Recreation, the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, the Ministry of Fisheries and Aquaculture, the Ministry of Tourism, Culture, and Creative Art, the Ministry of Trade, Agribusiness, and Industry, the Ministry of Environment, Science, and Technology, and the Ministry of Transport.
The PAC’s scrutiny of the Auditor-General’s report highlights the Committee’s commitment to ensuring accountability and transparency in government financial dealings.
The Committee has adjourned until Monday, October 27, 2025.
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