Deputy Education Minister Vows to Expose Officials Behind Unearned Salary Scandal
Deputy Education Minister, Dr. Clement Abas Apaak, has issued a strong warning to individuals involved in the payment and receipt of unearned salaries within the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Ministry of Education, promising full exposure and accountability.
Dr. Apaak made the statement on Friday, August 22, 2025, during his appearance before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). He led a delegation from the Ministry and the GES to address serious financial irregularities detailed in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report.
The report revealed alarming malpractice, including the payment of salaries to senior GES staff who did not earn them and the validation of payments for deceased employees by some headteachers. It also highlighted systemic weaknesses, such as poor internal controls and inadequate supervision, which allowed these abuses to persist.
Describing the situation as deeply troubling, Dr. Apaak stressed the need for collective national concern.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
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He further assured the Committee that the Ministry, in collaboration with relevant agencies, is actively pursuing internal investigations aimed at identifying and bringing to justice all individuals complicit in the fraudulent activities.
“When the Director-General spoke about some work that we are doing, some of these issues are being considered,” Dr. Apaak noted.
“Sooner than later, those who have made it their mission to fleece the state through all kinds of schemes would be duly exposed. And I want to reassure the Committee of that.”
In response to the revelations, the Public Accounts Committee has directed that all headteachers found to have wrongly validated payments for ineligible or deceased staff must refund the full amounts within 30 days.
The PAC continues to emphasize the need for accountability and transparency in the management of public funds, especially in the education sector, where integrity is essential to national development.
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