EP College of Education management referred to Attorney General over GH¢1.3 million financial discrepancies

The Public Accounts Committee PAC of Parliament has referred the management of the Evangelical Presbyterian EP College of Education at Bimbila to the Attorney General for potential prosecution. This action follows findings in the 2024 Auditor-General’s Report, which identified unsupported payments totaling GH¢1,356,944. The college reportedly failed to provide adequate documentation for various expenditures, including payments for foodstuffs, building materials, stationery, and an internal review exercise. Vice Chairman of the PAC, Samuel Atta-Mills, expressed dissatisfaction, citing a breach of public financial management regulations and a lack of accountability. PAC Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare emphasized that institutions violating procurement and financial regulations would face strict sanctions, including referral to the Attorney-General. The college's Finance Officer, Fuseini Osman, attributed the inability to retrieve some receipts to difficulties in contacting suppliers, some of whom were located internationally or far from the institution. He also noted that auditors raised concerns about the timing and validation of some provided documentation. In a separate but related development, the PAC directed the Nanumba South District Assembly to refund GH¢19,772 for unsupported fuel purchases within 30 days, specifying that the refund must come from the personal funds of the officials involved. The PAC is currently holding a four-day zonal public hearing in Tamale to review