The 2022 Auditor-General’s report has brought to light a troubling situation involving 59 deceased pensioners who are still receiving pension payments, amounting to an astonishing GH¢393,315.06, from public funds.
According to a news report on graphic.com.gh, this issue was revealed during an audit of the public accounts of various ministries, departments, and agencies.
The report places responsibility on both the Controller and Accountant General, as well as the director of the pensions unit, for their failure to stop these unauthorized payments.
The Auditor-General’s report highlights that these pensioners passed away between 2013 and 2019, yet their pension payments have not been discontinued, in clear violation of Regulation 92 of the Public Financial Management Regulations 2019.
This regulation explicitly mandates the immediate termination of salary payments to deceased employees and requires the Controller and Accountant-General to be informed promptly in such cases.
“Our review of pensioners files disclosed that the Controller and Accountant General did not stop the payment to 59 deceased pensioners from the FAAB system resulting in the payment of unearned pension totalling GH¢393,315.06,” part of the report stated.
Consequently, the Auditor-General has provided recommendations, urging the Controller and Accountant General to take action. Specifically, they are advised to ensure that the Director of the Pensions Unit recovers the excessive payments made to the beneficiaries of the deceased pensioners.
The report proposes that the retrieved funds be deposited into the Auditor-General’s Recoveries Account at the Bank of Ghana.
In the event of non-compliance, the Director of the Pensions Unit would be held responsible for repaying the amount.