Ghana. A-G uncovers GH¢7.5 million in illegal pension payments to 4 dead pensioners

A report by the Auditor-General (A-G) has found that four deceased pensioners continued to receive pension benefits long after their deaths, resulting in overpayments totalling GH¢7,494,975.34 between February 2019 and March 2026.

The findings, contained in the Report of the Auditor‑General on the Public Accounts of Ghana Ministries, Departments and Other Agencies for the year ended 31 December 2025, identified a serious breach of financial regulations.

“We noted that four deceased pensioners were paid a total amount of GH¢7,494,975.34 between February 2019 and March 2026, contrary to Regulation 88 of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378)”, it stated.

According to the report, the payments were made in contravention of Regulation 88 of the Public Financial Management Regulations, 2019 (L.I. 2378), which governs the proper authorization and cessation of public fund disbursements.

In response, the Auditor‑General has directed that the Controller and Accountant‑General must recover the full sum of GH¢7,494,975.34 from the next‑of‑kin of the deceased pensioners, along with interest calculated at the prevailing Bank of Ghana rate.

It noted that all recovered funds are to be paid directly into the Auditor‑General’s Recoveries Account at the Bank of Ghana.

The report further warns that if the next‑of‑kin fail to repay the amounts, legal proceedings shall be initiated against both the bankers and the families involved.

“The recovered amount should be paid into the Auditor-General’s Recoveries Account at the Bank of Ghana. Failing this, legal action should be instituted against the bankers and the next-of-kin of the deceased pensioners”, it added.

 

 

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