PAC probes GH¢1.7m bond default involving five GIMPA lecturers

The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has revealed that five lecturers who were sponsored to pursue doctoral studies abroad have failed to honour their bond agreements, leaving the institution with an outstanding debt of about GH¢1.7 million.

The disclosure was made on Monday, January 12, during a sitting of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee, where GIMPA’s Registrar, Victoria Kumbuor, detailed the defaults and steps being taken to recover the funds.

According to the institute, Ann-Shirley Appiatse owes GH¢777,000, Julius Quarshie GH¢524,000, Dr Hanson Addy GH¢224,000, Afua Ataa Boakyewaa GH¢230,000, while Christiana Osei Bonsu has an outstanding balance of GH¢38,700.

Ms Kumbuor told the committee that GIMPA has activated enforcement measures under the bonding arrangements, including freezing the benefits and entitlements of guarantors who stood surety for the lecturers.

She explained that the debts arose from staff development sponsorships granted on the condition that beneficiaries would return to serve the institution after completing their PhD programmes.

Despite signing the bonds, some of the beneficiaries failed to return, prompting GIMPA to freeze their own entitlements—such as provident fund and credit scheme benefits—as well as those of their guarantors. She added that these actions have already led to the recovery of part of the outstanding amounts.

Ms Kumbuor said the measures are part of broader efforts by the institute to protect public funds and ensure compliance with sponsorship agreements.