Deputy Minister of Education, Dr. Clement Apaak, has revealed that the government is investigating cases of collusion in the payment of inflated salaries to some staff of the Ghana Education Service (GES).
Speaking during a Public Accounts Committee (PAC) sitting on August 22, Dr. Apaak stated that some individuals within the system have deliberately manipulated salary structures to siphon funds from the state.
“The aspect of dishonesty cannot be overlooked, but I must state that we know of instances of collusion,” Dr. Apaak told the committee.
He raised questions about the role of financial authorities in the irregularities, suggesting the issue may be more widespread than previously acknowledged.
“Let’s not mince words, because it is very strange that the Controller and Accountant-General would on their own decide to pay the staff of GES at a rate higher than what they ought to be getting,” he added.
Dr. Apaak assured the committee that investigations are ongoing and that those involved will soon be held accountable.
“When the Director-General spoke about some work that we are doing, some of these issues are being considered, and sooner than later, those who have made it their mission to fleece the state through all kinds of schemes would be duly exposed,” he said. “I want to reassure the committee of that.”
The PAC is currently reviewing findings from the Auditor-General’s report, which flagged multiple irregularities, including payroll discrepancies in the education sector.
This is not the first time fraudulent salary payments have come under scrutiny. In May 2025, the High Court in Tamale convicted six individuals for their roles in a payroll fraud scheme involving ghost names and illicit salary disbursements within the GES.
The convictions were achieved through the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) plea bargaining framework, allowing for full restitution and reparations to the state.
