The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) has stepped up its fight against the misuse of public funds by ordering the arrest of a former staff member of the Ministry of Energy and Green Transition, Ms. Yaa Serwaa Gyan.
According to the PAC, she allegedly left the country after receiving a fully paid study leave worth over GHC 120,000, breaching a bond to return and serve.
The issue, captured in the latest Auditor-General’s report, has sparked outrage among committee members, who described the conduct as unfair to the state and taxpayers. The report confirmed that Ms. Gyan was granted the study leave on the condition that she would return to complete her service.
However, she has since abandoned her post, compelling the PAC to demand her immediate arrest and a full refund of the money.
Hon. Samuel Atta-Mills, Ranking Member of the PAC, made it clear that the committee would leave no stone unturned in pursuing the matter.
“We cannot. The government cannot pay for people to go for a steady leave, and then when they finish, they are scorned. That is not fair, and the guarantor over here, too, let the police visit him. Let the police visit his house.”
Hon. Samuel Atta-Mills
In his directive, Hon. Atta-Mills instructed that the police, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and other relevant agencies should be brought on board to trace Ms. Gyan in the United States.
He pointed out that one possible route of action was to monitor her through passport renewal processes. “Yes, get the police. Get our foreign affairs also.”
He further emphasized that guarantors of such bonds must also be held accountable.
According to him, anyone who guarantees a person taking such opportunities must ensure that the individual fulfills their side of the bargain. “I’m sure you have more information on the form that the guarantor signed.”
Hon. Atta-Mills described the situation as an act of corruption that should not be overlooked. He clarified that corruption was not limited to politicians or government appointees but also involved ordinary citizens who misuse public resources.
“Is that man a politician? Is he a member of parliament? Is he a government appointee? Look at what he’s doing. Get the police involved, and then let us know, let the committee know within 30 days.”
Hon. Samuel Atta-Mills
Ministry Confirms Abscondment To PAC
Meanwhile, representatives from the Ministry of Energy who appeared before the Public Accounts Committee acknowledged that Ms. Yaa Serwaa Gyan had indeed left the country.
However, when pressed for specifics, the officials admitted they could not provide the exact month or date of her departure.
“Honorable, our checks show that she left the country more than a year ago… Mr. Chair, we are told that she’s gone to the U.S.”
Energy Ministry
The development has reignited debate about accountability and the enforcement of study leave bonds within the public sector.
Many argue that the PAC’s intervention is necessary to restore confidence in how government-sponsored educational opportunities are managed.
If left unchecked, they warn, the practice could discourage genuine public servants from benefiting while paving the way for abuse.
For the PAC, the message is simple: anyone who takes advantage of the state must be held accountable. By targeting both the individual and the guarantor, the committee aims to send a strong signal that misuse of public funds will not go unpunished.
This case is not only about recovering lost funds but also about reinforcing the principle of responsibility within Ghana’s public institutions. By placing the matter in the public eye, the PAC is ensuring that citizens are aware of the consequences of breaching trust.
For Hon. Atta-Mills and his colleagues, the larger issue is cultural—ensuring that corruption is recognized in all its forms, not only when linked to political elites.
The committee’s strong stance, they argue, should serve as a deterrent to others who may consider exploiting similar opportunities at the expense of the nation.
In the coming weeks, much attention will be on whether the Ministry of Energy, the police, and the Foreign Affairs Ministry can coordinate effectively to locate Ms. Gyan and recover the misused funds.
The outcome will not only affect the credibility of the PAC but also test the government’s commitment to fighting corruption in practical terms.
As the directive stands, the PAC has given the relevant agencies 30 days to act and report back. The pursuit of accountability, they insist, cannot be delayed any longer.
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