PAC Orders Government to Pay Over GH₵1 Million Compensation to Prempeh College
School land taken for Sofoline Interchange project triggers GH₵1 million+ directive
- PAC has ordered the Ashanti Regional Education Directorate to ensure payment of over GH₵1 million compensation to Prempeh College after a long delay dating back to 2013.
- The compensation relates to land acquired for the Sofoline Interchange project in Kumasi, but payment has remained outstanding for years.
- The Committee has directed relevant state agencies to act immediately, stressing accountability, fairness, and protection of public institutions’ assets.
The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of Parliament has directed the Ashanti Regional Education Directorate to ensure the payment of compensation exceeding GH₵1 million to Prempeh College, following years of delay in settling the obligation.
The compensation, which dates back to 2013, is owed by the government after a portion of the school’s land was acquired for the construction of the Sofoline Interchange, a major road infrastructure project in Kumasi aimed at easing traffic congestion and improving urban mobility.
The directive was issued on the third day of the Committee’s sitting in the Ashanti Region, where officials were being questioned over issues captured in the Auditor-General’s Report.
It emerged during proceedings that although the land had long been used for the project, full compensation had not been paid to the school.
Members of the Committee expressed strong concern over the prolonged delay, describing it as unacceptable and a breach of due process.
They stressed that public institutions should not be disadvantaged when their assets are appropriated for national development.
The Committee subsequently instructed the Ashanti Regional Education Directorate to liaise with the Ministry of Finance and other relevant state agencies to facilitate the immediate settlement of the outstanding compensation.
During the sitting, the Member of Parliament for Atwima Nwabiagya North Constituency, Hon. Frank Yeboah, led the interrogation.
He pressed officials on the reasons for the delay and the steps being taken to resolve the matter, emphasizing the need for accountability and timely redress.
Prempeh College, one of the country’s prominent secondary schools, was affected during the execution of the Sofoline Interchange project, which required the acquisition of part of its land.
Despite the strategic importance of the project, the Committee underscored that such developments must not come at the expense of institutions without fair and prompt compensation.
The PAC further reiterated its commitment to ensuring that recommendations arising from the Auditor-General’s Reports are enforced and that public officials are held accountable for lapses in financial administration.
The Committee continues its regional sittings, examining financial irregularities and ensuring that public funds and assets are properly managed in the interest of the state.
