A shocking audit report released by the General Auditing Commission (GAC), has exposed a massive breakdown of financial accountability and governance at Bong County University (BCU.
In the GAC audits millions of dollars remained unaccounted for and serious administrative irregularities uncovered within the institution.
The audit, which reviewed the university’s financial activities from July 1, 2018, to December 31, 2023, discovered widespread concerns that involved undisclosed payments, questionable salary transactions, unremitted employee deductions, and violations of basic public financial management rules.
In the findings, more than US$1.46 million in payments made on behalf of the university by other government entities were never properly recorded in the institution’s financial records. Auditors said, university authorities failed to provide key supporting documents, including receipts, payment vouchers, liquidation reports, and official explanations surrounding the transactions.
The report described the lack of documentation as a serious breach of accountability standards, and a major red flag in BCU’s financial management system.
In one of the most disturbing revelations, auditors discovered that US$149,696.16 deducted from employees’ salaries for social security contributions was “diverted to support university management operations,” instead of being remitted to the National Social Security and Welfare Corporation as the law required.
The audit further revealed that personal income taxes deducted from employees were also not transferred to government revenue accounts, raising fresh concerns over how workers’ deductions were being handled by the university administration.
The report additionally uncovered that Dr. Charles K. Mulbah, Vice President for Research and Development, received US$34,312.50 in salary payments during a 15-month absence from work without any formal documented excuse or authorization.
Auditors also found serious irregularities within the university’s payroll system. At least 15 employees, who had already reached retirement age remained on the payroll as of December 31, 2023, with indications that some may still be receiving salaries from the institution.
The audit further criticized the university’s governance structure after discovering that the Human Resources Director simultaneously served as Procurement Director; a situation, auditors warned: “undermines internal controls and creates potential conflict of interest.”
Questions were also raised about BCU’s hiring process, with auditors citing noncompetitive recruitment practices that “lacked transparency and fairness.”
The findings painted a troubling picture of an institution battling weak oversight, poor financial discipline, and questionable administrative practices at a time when many students continue to struggle for quality education and better learning conditions.
Auditors have meanwhile, recommended immediate corrective actions to strengthen accountability, improve financial management systems, and ensure compliance with the public sector regulations.
At the time of publication, none of BCU’s officials had publicly responded to the audit findings.
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