Deputy Minister of Education, Dr Clement Abas Apaak, has hinted at exposing individuals involved in the fraudulent payment of unearned salaries within the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education.
He gave the assurance when he appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Friday, August 22, 2025.
The Builsa South MP led a team from the Ministry and GES to respond to findings in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report, which uncovered widespread financial irregularities.
The report revealed that some senior staff of the GES received salaries they had not earned, while certain headteachers validated payments for deceased staff.
It also cited weak supervision and poor internal controls that enabled these irregularities.
According to Dr Apaak, the findings in the report were alarming and should generate collective concern about the level of dishonesty within the system.
“This should be of concern to all of us. It is very worrying. The aspect of dishonesty cannot be overlooked. But I must state that we know of instances of collusion. Let’s not mince words. It is very strange that the Controller and Accountant-General would, on their own, decide to pay staff of GES at a rate higher than what they ought to be getting,” he stated.
He further assured the committee that ongoing measures by the Ministry and other agencies would soon expose all those behind the fraudulent acts.
“When the Director-General spoke about some work that we are doing, some of these issues are being considered. And sooner than later, those who have made it their mission to fleece the state through all kinds of schemes will be duly exposed, and I want to reassure the committee of that,” he added.
Following the revelations, the PAC has directed headteachers involved in the wrongful validation of salaries to refund the money within 30 days.
