The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has referred the management of the University of Education, Winneba (UEW), to the Attorney General for prosecution over the payment of GH₵28 million as honorarium without evidence of work done.
The directive follows revelations during the Committee’s review of the 2024 financial statements of public universities, which showed that UEW management disbursed the amount from its budget allocation without proper justification.
According to the Committee, despite the establishment of an internal disciplinary board and a recommendation for the recovery of the funds, no amount has been retrieved one year after the probe.
“Management and the council set up this disciplinary board, investigated, and subsequently disciplinary measures were meted out to them. Council also directed that those who were involved should refund the money.
“Management reminded them several times, but they were not responding to it, so the matter was referred to EOCO to support us to recover,” said Vice-Chancellor of UEW, Professor Stephen Jobson Mitchual, during Wednesday’s PAC hearing.
However, the University’s Finance Officer, Mr. Senyo Akorli, questioned the purpose of the committee’s internal investigation, asking whether it was intended merely to punish those involved or to ensure recovery of the money.
“I’m trying to reconcile what the motive of your investigation was. Was it just to punish those who were involved or to retrieve the amount for the university?” he asked.
In response, the Vice-Chancellor clarified that both objectives were expected outcomes of the investigation, but the recovery had not yet been achieved, explaining the involvement of EOCO.
The Committee therefore resolved to refer the matter to the Attorney General’s office for possible prosecution.
“I think the Attorney General will be very happy to help you solve this. So, we’ll recommend that we add it to the list of those who should be prosecuted.”