UG-UTAG demand Auditor-General’s resignation over disputed payroll report
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, May 20, Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, Secretary of the University of Ghana Chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG), strongly criticized the Auditor-General for failing to seek clarification from the university before publishing the findings.
Lecturers at the University of Ghana (UG) are calling for Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu's immediate resignation following a controversial audit report that accuses the university of inflating its payroll expenses.
Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, May 20, Dr. Jerry Joe Harrison, Secretary of the University of Ghana Chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG), strongly criticized the Auditor-General for failing to seek clarification from the university before publishing the findings.
The audit claimed that UG had exaggerated staff compensation figures by GH¢59.2 million between 2022 and 2024. However, university officials have firmly rejected this allegation, stating that the figures were misrepresented and lacked proper context.
Dr. Harrison condemned the Auditor-General’s approach, describing it as a "serious violation of professional ethics." He argued that bypassing the university in the verification process undermines the report's credibility and reflects poorly on the office responsible.
He also urged that disciplinary action be taken against those who conducted the audit, emphasizing that financial oversight must not be weaponized to unjustly block legitimate entitlements of public institutions.
The disputed audit report revealed that while UG submitted salary claims amounting to GH¢1.09 billion, only GH¢1.03 billion was validated, leading to the identification of a GH¢59.24 million discrepancy.
