PAC orders Western Regional Health Directorate to recover nearly GH¢400,000

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has instructed the Western Regional Health Directorate to recover and repay around GH¢400,000 to the state, following allegations that funds were improperly approved. This decision came after an investigation revealed that an officer, Florence Ankarah, was paid more than GH¢19,000 despite not working on the projects for which the money was intended.

The PAC has given the person overseeing the region a 30-day deadline to ensure the misappropriated funds are recovered and deposited into the designated account at the Bank of Ghana. The Committee expressed worry over the issue of inadequate verification by public sector validators, which could lead to the validation and payment of "ghost" workers who fail to perform their duties or are absent from their positions.

Additionally, the PAC has ordered the Western Regional Health Directorate to recover GH¢341,226 from Dr Esinam Sunu, who received the funds for further education but did not enroll in the program. Subsequently, Dr Sunu requested a transfer to Accra. Should the money not be recovered from Dr Sunu, the Committee holds Medical Superintendent Dr George Pepreh and Senior Human Resources Manager Stephen Ekwaw Eliason accountable for the administrative errors that led to the payment.

The officials involved are required to appear before the PAC to explain and justify the payments. The Committee emphasized the importance of recovering these funds to safeguard public resources and enhance accountability within the health sector.