Controller and Accountant General flags persistent salary irregularities in public sector
Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Agyei, has expressed concern over recurring salary irregularities in the public sector, particularly among agencies under the Ministry of Education.
The issues revealed during a recent Public Accounts Committee (PAC) hearing, include unpaid and overpaid salaries, payments made to individuals on study leave, and even allowances disbursed to deceased persons.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show on Tuesday, August 26, 2025, Mr. Agyei clarified that his office only disburses salaries that have been validated and approved by the appropriate authorities.
He emphasised that the core of the problem lies with those responsible for authorising and processing the payments.
“It is a worrying situation, but it appears that once the recovered salaries have been paid, then it is like we are happy. Indeed, we have recovered that money, but we have to go back to the root cause. Who caused it, validated and processed it for the money to be paid to the Controller and Accountant General?”
Mr. Agyei added that his department is shifting its focus from simply recovering wrongful payments to identifying systemic accountability failures that enable such infractions.
“For instance, if the monies paid are allowances the person is entitled to, then who processed it for it to be paid at the Controller and Accountant General? This is what we want—to go beyond just the recovery and go deep into the whole process,” he added.
The revelations have added to growing public scrutiny over financial accountability within the public service, as the PAC continues to audit and question irregularities across multiple government agencies.
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