The Parliament's Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has directed the Ministry of Health to facilitate the appearance of Dr. Mockshell Esinam Sunu, a Senior Medical Officer at Takoradi Hospital. Dr. Sunu is alleged to have received a salary of GH¢341,229 while on approved study leave from September 2023 to August 2025. However, she reportedly did not travel to Germany for the study programme.
According to the PAC, Dr. Sunu's study leave was granted, but she failed to proceed with the programme. Despite this, she continued to receive her salary. The Committee wants Dr. Sunu to explain why the payments continued and why the relevant authorities were not informed. PAC Chairperson Abena Osei-Asare expressed concern over the incident, questioning how the salary payments could have gone undetected.
Abena Osei-Asare directed the Ministry of Health to work with the Ghana Medical Association (GMA) to ensure Dr. Sunu appears before the Committee. She emphasized the need for Dr. Sunu to explain why she did not take steps to stop the payments or notify the authorities. The PAC Chairperson also questioned the validation process for payroll records, suggesting that someone must have validated the payments without detecting the issue.
The incident has raised concerns about financial irregularities in the health sector. The PAC is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the payments and determine how the alleged financial irregularity occurred. The Committee will also assess whether responsibility should be assigned to officials who validated the payments.
Dr. Sunu's case is not the first instance of financial irregularities in Ghana's public sector. The PAC has been actively pursuing cases of financial mismanagement and irregularities. The Committee's efforts aim to promote transparency and accountability in the management of public funds.
The Ministry of Health has been tasked with facilitating Dr. Sunu's appearance before the PAC. The Ministry, in collaboration with the GMA, will need to ensure that Dr. Sunu is available to answer the Committee's questions. The outcome of the investigation will likely have implications for Dr. Sunu and other officials involved.
The PAC's investigation into Dr. Sunu's case will likely focus on the extent of financial losses incurred and the measures needed to prevent similar incidents in the future. The Committee's findings and recommendations will be crucial in determining the next steps in addressing the alleged financial irregularity.
Key points
- The PAC has summoned Dr. Mockshell Esinam Sunu to explain the GH¢341,229 salary paid to her during study leave.
- The Committee is investigating how the salary payments continued without detection.
- The incident has raised concerns about financial irregularities in Ghana's health sector.
