Audit Service defends report, dismisses UTAG-UG allegations

The Ghana Audit Service has addressed comments from the University of Ghana chapter of UTAG-UG.

UTAG-UG criticized the Auditor-General’s handling of an audit report. They accused the Audit Service of procedural and ethical violations.

In response, the Audit Service called these claims “inappropriate and not grounded on facts.”

This statement follows a press conference held by UTAG-UG on May 20. They disputed claims that the University of Ghana overstated employee compensation by GH¢59.2 million from 2022 to 2024.

The Audit Service issued a statement clarifying that UTAG-UG misrepresented their recent Special Audit Report. This report is titled “Recoveries Made from Disallowed Expenditure in the Auditor-General’s Reports from 2020–2023 and Payroll Savings as at 31st December 2024.”

The Audit Service emphasized that the report did not accuse the university of financial misconduct. Instead, it aimed to highlight recoveries and savings made through routine verification processes.

They urged the public to disregard UTAG-UG's calls for action. The statement affirmed that audits follow internationally recognized standards and applicable laws.

These include the International Standards for Supreme Audit Institutions (ISSAIs) and Ghana's Public Financial Management Act (2016).

The Audit Service noted that its reports help institutions correct financial regulation deviations, not harm their reputation.

Before publishing the report, auditors engaged with University of Ghana management about payroll issues.

The audit team raised any deviations for response before finalizing their certificate. Thus, it is incorrect for UTAG-UG to assume otherwise.

Additionally, disallowed payroll figures often arise from unapproved allowances or lack of financial clearance. These are recorded as savings to the government, not as misconduct by institutions.

Recently, JoyNews also responded to accusations from UTAG-UG regarding unprofessional reporting. JoyNews insisted its reporting was accurate and based on verified findings from the official audit report.