Senior Management, Other Staff of Information Ministry Paid Themselves GHS 151K As COVID Allowance Without Approval

The Senior management staff and other staff of Ministry of Information paid themselves 151,500 cedis as covid-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lock down without approval from Chief of Staff .

This was revealed in Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu’s audit of Covid-19 transactions for the period March 2020 to June 2022.

The development reportedly ensued in 2020 during the lockdown at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in Ghana.

“During our review, we noted that senior management staff and other supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves a total amount of GH¢151,500.00 as COVID-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lockdown,” the report stated.

President Akufo-Addo at the time had announced some incentives for frontline health workers including insurance and tax exemptions for doing their best to curb the virus’ spread.

As of now, some of the healthcare workers are reportedly yet to receive their share of the stipends.

The latest report is questioning the basis for such a remuneration since it was not sanctioned by the Chief of Staff.

According to the document, the deed goes “contrary to the above Presidential directives and without approval from the Office of Chief of Staff.”

The Auditor-General has recommended that the amount be recovered from the beneficiary staff and paid into the Auditor-General’s Recoveries account.

More Reactions On Social Media :

Senior management and supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves a total amount of GH¢151,000 as COVID-19 risk allowance without approval.

-Auditor General's Report pic.twitter.com/KS6PuwTuwg

— Ghana Elections (@ghanaelections) January 23, 2023

Ministry of Information paid themselves risk allowance GH151,500 for sending information virtually. Meanwhile, frontline workers and those who did contact tracking were not paid risk allowance. NPP has really benefited from Covid -19 #NPPGrandCovidTheft pic.twitter.com/w4VoKytlKv

— The Second Coming Of JM (@MotiaNframa) January 23, 2023

The Auditor-General has revealed that senior management and other supporting staff of the Ministry of Information paid themselves GH₵151,500 as a Covid-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lockdown period without approval from the Chief of Staff. pic.twitter.com/cZVTiKBTtH

— The Fourth Estate (@fourthestategh) January 23, 2023

According to the Auditor General’s Report, Senior management staff and other staff of Ministry of Information paid themselves 151,500 cedis as covid-19 risk allowance for coming to work during the lock down without approval from Chief of Staff … #GHToday

— Serwaa Amihere (@Serwaa_Amihere) January 22, 2023

Kojo Oppong Nkrumah, a former host of Joy FM's Super Morning Show which fosters accountability supervised this:

Auditor General reveals that, at the Ministry of Information, allowances totaling GH¢811,800.00 were paid without adequate supporting documents.#NPPGrandCOVIDTheft pic.twitter.com/kzkNbpOjrG

— Francis τ (@AssisiAce) January 23, 2023

The Ministry of Information paid allowances of GH¢811,800.00 without adequate supporting documents according to the Auditor-General's report. It added that there were no activity or program reports to support and authenticate the allowances paid.

PC: Primenews pic.twitter.com/QGvbh7ftiN

— The Fourth Estate (@fourthestategh) January 23, 2023