The recent order for the arrest of Raphael Sarfo Asamoah by the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has brought to light a concerning issue of scholarship lapses within the Suame Municipal Assembly in the Ashanti Region. Mr. Asamoah, a staff member of the assembly, was granted a substantial scholarship to pursue law studies at the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom. However, he failed to fulfill the bond term agreement after enjoying study leave with pay, resulting in a significant amount of GH¢404,757.11 being unaccounted for.
During the PAC's sitting in the Bono Region, Dr. James Klutse Avedzi, the Chairman of PAC, emphasized the need for swift action, calling on the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) to apprehend Mr. Asamoah in response to the Auditor General's report.
The report revealed that Mr. Asamoah, who held the position of Human Resource Manager at the Suame Municipal Assembly, was granted a two-year scholarship from 2020 to 2022. The terms of the scholarship required him to serve a five-year bond after completing his studies. However, he only fulfilled one year of the bond term before returning to the UK without proper authorization.
In light of these findings, the Auditor General's report recommended that the assembly's management collaborate with the Head of Local Government Service, Mr. Asamoah's employer, to locate the officer. Furthermore, it stipulated that the assembly should recover the total salary and scholarship grant from Mr. Asamoah and deposit the funds into the Auditor General's Recoveries Account. Failure to do so would result in Mr. Asamoah's guarantors being held liable for refunding the amount.
In response to queries from the PAC, Mr. Johnson Nyarko, the Coordinating Director of Suame Municipal Assembly, explained that Mr. Asamoah had managed to secure a one-year scholarship extension for further studies upon his return. However, he failed to comply with the recall issued by the Local Government Service, and efforts are underway to hold his guarantors accountable for the funds.
This situation underscores the importance of accountability and responsible stewardship of public resources. It is imperative that measures are put in place to prevent similar occurrences in the future and to ensure that scholarship recipients fulfill their obligations.
The PAC's decisive action in this matter sends a clear message about the seriousness with which such issues are being addressed. It is essential for all parties involved to cooperate fully in resolving this matter and taking appropriate steps to prevent reoccurrence.
As this situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and adherence to stipulated terms and conditions in matters concerning public funds and scholarships. The outcome of this case will undoubtedly have implications for scholarship management and oversight across various institutions.
In conclusion, it is crucial for all stakeholders to uphold the highest standards of integrity and accountability in managing public resources, particularly when it comes to scholarship programs. The outcome of this case will be closely watched as it sets a precedent for handling similar situations in the future.
-source ghanaiantimes | curated by Aisha Yakubu | GhanaCrimes
