The Auditor-General has uncovered the wrongful payment of GH¢7,494,975.34 to four deceased pensioners between February 2019 and March 2026, in breach of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378).
According to the Auditor-General’s report, the payments continued to be made after the beneficiaries had died, contrary to Regulation 88 of the Public Financial Management Regulations, which requires public funds to be managed in accordance with established financial controls.
The audit found that the four deceased pensioners collectively received GH¢7.49 million over the seven-year period, raising concerns about weaknesses in the pension payment and verification system.
To recover the funds, the Auditor-General has directed the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department to retrieve the full amount from the next-of-kin of the deceased pensioners, together with interest calculated at the prevailing Bank of Ghana rate.
The report further instructed that all recovered funds be paid into the Auditor-General’s Recoveries Account at the Bank of Ghana.
In addition, the report uncovered payroll irregularities amounting to GH¢19,924,710.00 recorded during the period under review.
Included in the total payroll irregularities was the GH¢7,494,975.34 paid to four deceased pensioners between February 2019 and March 2026.
It also warned that if the money is not recovered voluntarily, legal action should be initiated against both the bankers involved in processing the payments and the next-of-kin of the deceased pensioners.
The finding forms part of the Auditor-General’s efforts to strengthen accountability in the management of public funds and address irregularities identified during the audit of government expenditure.
