This was discovered during validation of documents for payment of over two year salary arrears of teachers by the Auditor General’s Department and the Controller and Account General’s Department on Sunday.
The Director of Payroll at the Auditor General’s Department, Ben Tandoh told Accra-based Citi FM that some of the teachers also backdated their documents.
“Backdating is fraudulent because it has an element of unearned salary and it is not only unearned salary, we must remember that Government pays 13 percent as employee’s contribution to the social security on your behalf,” he said.
Mr. Tandoh added that his outfit has informed the Finance Ministry about the latest development and has asked for punishment to be meted out to the culprits.
“Those who are found culpable will be held responsible. It is for minister of finance to carry out the recommendation and I’m sure they are going to be punished,” he added.
Background
Teachers across the country earlier this year served notice of a strike on February 29, 2016 if government failed to pay them their outstanding arrears by the end of February.
Government had subsequently met the various teacher unions on two different occasions to try and reach an agreement for the teachers to rescind their strike decision.
However, government on the third meeting with the teacher unions on Wednesday ordered the release of an amount of GHS 1,579,078.20 to settle 2012 salary arrears of teachers across the country.
A communiqué signed by the various stakeholders at the meeting said arrears for 2013 and 2014 will, however, not be paid, until authorities validate some payment processes which will begin on Thursday.
The validation of documents is currently ongoing to pave way for the teachers to be paid their arrears.
Eyewitness? Submit your stories now via social or:
Email: eyewitness@pulse.com.gh
