The Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, is under intense pressure to vacate his position following a contentious payroll audit report that has sparked backlash from one of Ghana’s top academic institutions.
The University of Ghana Chapter of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) has called for the immediate resignation of the Auditor General, accusing him of overseeing an unethical and misleading audit process that has damaged the university’s credibility.
At a press briefing held on Tuesday, May 20, UTAG-UG General Secretary Jerry Joe Harrison openly condemned the conduct of the Auditor-General and his team.
He stated that the audit process breached all acceptable standards of professional accountability and was executed in a way that undermines the integrity of the university and its staff.
“This report, as distasteful as it is, is simply predicated on the poor job that was done by the audit service. The standards of auditing, in our opinion, have plummeted in recent years, and if care is not taken, they will have serious consequences for the nation.”
Jerry Joe Harrison
He alleged that the Auditor-General’s office had acted in bad faith, placing more emphasis on public optics than on professional integrity.
“It appears to us that the audit service is more interested in appearing to be working rather than doing the right thing, and in so doing, they ignore ethical standards that guide their profession.”
Jerry Joe Harrison
The uproar stemmed from a special payroll verification audit released by the Auditor-General’s office, which claimed that the University of Ghana overstated employee compensation by a staggering GH¢59.2 million between 2022 and 2024.
The revelation, published without prior engagement with university authorities, has been strongly contested by UTAG-UG, which described the report as inaccurate, unethical, and professionally damaging.
Payroll Report Raises Ethical Concerns for Auditor-General
Furthermore, UTAG-UG maintained that the University of Ghana was never given an opportunity to review or respond to the audit findings before the report was made public.
The association emphasized that this omission constitutes a gross violation of ethical auditing procedures and international best practices.
“And for the Auditor-General to sit in his office and preside over such an institution that disregards ethical standards and standard practice, we are hereby calling for the resignation of the Auditor-General, honorably, or we will petition the President for him to be removed.”
Jerry Joe Harrison
The union emphasized that its call for the Auditor-General’s resignation is not rooted in personal animosity but in a deeper concern over the deteriorating standards of public auditing in Ghana.
Harrison pointed out that audits are increasingly being weaponized to intimidate public institutions, especially universities that rely on government funding to operate.
He argued that the audit service is being misused to block legitimate financial disbursements under the guise of oversight.
UTAG-UG is also questioning the motive behind the release of the audit report and the timing of its publication.
The association believes the premature release of the findings without consultation is not only professionally inappropriate but has potentially irreversible consequences for the university’s reputation and the morale of its academic staff.
In addition to demanding the resignation of the Auditor-General, UTAG-UG warned that it would escalate the matter to the highest levels of government if no action is taken.
A petition to the President of the Republic is reportedly being prepared, should Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu refuse to step down voluntarily.
UG To Address Audit Issues Amid Call for Resignation
The University of Ghana’s management has so far refrained from making any official statement on the matter.
However, sources within the university say internal discussions are ongoing to address the implications of the audit report and to strategize on a formal response.
Meanwhile, UTAG-UG is urging other chapters of the University Teachers Association of Ghana, as well as civil society organizations and professional bodies, to join in condemning what they see as a dangerous precedent in public sector accountability.
“This is not just about the University of Ghana. This is about protecting the integrity of our public institutions and the professionals who serve them. We cannot allow such reckless behavior to go unchallenged.”
Jerry Joe Harrison
The controversy continues to unfold as pressure mounts on the Auditor-General to account for the process and the conclusions drawn in his office’s report.
For now, UTAG-UG’s call for resignation sends a clear message: accountability cuts both ways, and no public official is above professional scrutiny.
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