PAC orders Environment Ministry HR deputy to refund GH₵31,847 over ghost staff salary

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Deputy Head of Human Resources at the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, Ibrahim Muniru, to refund an amount of GHS31,847.00 within 90 days.

This follows findings in the Auditor-General’s Report, which revealed that Muniru continued to validate the salary of one Abdul Hakeem Iddrisu, an employee who had absconded from his post.

According to the report, Abdul Hakeem was absent from work for 109 working days between March and August 2024, despite receiving two absenteeism queries from his immediate supervisor.

Despite these warnings, Muniru continued to authorise the salary payments, an action the Committee described as a serious breach of financial regulations and administrative procedures.

At its sitting on Wednesday, 1 October, PAC Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare expressed disappointment over the lapse.

“You knew he wasn’t at work. His supervisor had issued queries, yet you kept validating his salary. All these things were brought to your attention, but the payments continued,” she stressed.

The Ranking Member of the Committee, Samuel Atta-Mills, was emphatic that accountability must be enforced.

“Let’s make it simple: whoever did the validation will pay the GH¢31,847.00 as ruled. Auditors, make sure the money is recovered. He’s probably watching us now, he has 90 days to refund the amount,” he insisted.

The Committee has since tasked the Auditor-General to ensure strict enforcement of the directive.