The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament (PAC) has directed the prosecution of a teacher in Sunyani, Comfort Appiah over payroll irregularity.
The Kintampo South District Education Directorate disclosed that a headteacher and a validator, Bismark Agyekum fled to California with a validation code, enabling him to secure GH¢26,000 in unearned salary.
According to reports from the directorate, Agyekum transferred the funds to the colleague teacher’s account in Sunyani after the payment was deposited into his account.
This revelation was made by the District Director of Education in Kintampo South, Daniel Yaw Appiah, during PAC proceedings on Tuesday, August 20.
“The guy has decided that he will not pay because, according to him, he worked for Ghana and was not paid, he’s now in California and when he was leaving, he took the validation code, he was there validating himself.
“And our checks proved that when the money hits the account, the money is transferred into a different account. It made our embargo unworkable. But, we have been able to chase the beneficiary of the amount, one Mrs Comfort Appiah, in Sunyani, she’s a teacher. I have liaised with my counterpart over there to place an embargo on her salary. The man has promised to pay the money by the end of the month. If he brings the money we release the embargo.”
A member of the Committee and the MP for South Dayi Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor suggested to the committee that Madam Comfort Appiah be prosecuted, arguing that she will commit the same offence when she’s appointed a validator.
“She knew that her friend or husband was outside of the jurisdiction and yet, salaries would be transferred from his account to her account for her benefits. This is collusion, and she should be reported to the police. This is not a matter for audit and it ends. She should be further investigated and prosecuted properly.
“This is a payroll irregularity, she should be ordered for prosecution. She knew the source of this money was illegal, if she also becomes a validator, she will do the same. I will suggest that she be arrested for investigation leading to prosecution.”
PAC chairman James Klutse Avedzi described the issue as criminal and ordered her prosecution.
“This is a serious matter, it involves criminality. We will recommend that she be prosecuted.”
