‘PAC refers headmasters to EOCO for prosecution’
“In the past, we have never referred officials or the individuals for prosecution so it looks like they are taking advantage of that, that it has become annual ritual, we will only come, the chairman will caution and that will be the end.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC), has recommended for prosecution of five heads of educational institutions in the Western Region for procurement breaches.
The PAC is currently holding hearings for eighteen Senior High Schools in the Western Region.
The Heads of the five SHSs, namely, Bozo Kaku, Methodist SHS, Tarkwa ShS, St. Augustine’s SHS, Bogoso, and Adiembra SHS have been recommended for prosecution for procurement breaches whilst a staff of Archbishop Porters SHS in Takoradi has been referred to Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) for allegedly taking salaries unlawfully.
Speaking at its sitting in Takoradi on the Auditor General’s 2018 report, Chairman of the committee, James Klutse Averdzi said it was to serve as a deterrent for others.
“In the past, we have never referred officials or the individuals for prosecution so it looks like they are taking advantage of that, that it has become annual ritual, we will only come, the chairman will caution and that will be the end.
“So we decided that now if you go against the law we will recommend you for prosecution. So you go to court and defend yourself.
“If the court thinks that your defense is sufficient or strong enough they will set you free but if your defense is weak then the court will apply the law to ensure that you face the punishment,” he said.
Source: 3news.com|Ghana
