The Auditor-General’s report for 2021 has revealed that some academic programmes offered by the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) have not been accredited.
The report dated June 1, 2022, is addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Mr. Alban Bagbin.
According to details of the report, “out of the 360 programmes run by the University, only 61 have been accredited, 190 sent to National Accreditation Board (NAB) for accreditation and reaccreditation with 109 yet to be sent to NAB for accreditation.”
The Auditor-General has therefore “recommended to Management to cease running programmes that are not accredited or having its accredited certificates expired, until they are accredited or renewed, to avoid sanctions by NAB.”
Still on KNUST, the Auditor-General found out that four officers who were granted sabbatical leave by the University, took up various appointments in other government institutions where they are enjoying full (basic salary and other allowances) monthly salaries in addition to basic and Market Premium being paid by the University (KNUST).
According to the report, this has resulted in double payment of basic salary and market premium by government in the sum of GH¢488,868.69.
“We recommended to Management to ensure that the officers refund the salaries paid by the University for the sabbatical leave period to the consolidated fund,” the report indicated.
Details of other findings and recommendations made by the Auditor-General as regards the KNUST are as follows:
Development Office
“We identified a number of defects during our physical inspection of the Proposed Construction of Educational Resort Facilities for the Institute of Distance Learning (IDL) at Moree.
We recommended that the Director of works, and the project supervisors should rectify the defects identified at their own expense.”
Maintenance Unit
“Our audit disclosed that out of GH¢291,771.61 released by the University for maintenance activities, transactions in the sum of GH¢263,596.42 were without relevant supporting documents like Vice Chancellor’s approval and letters of contract engagements, signed sheets, and proper VAT invoices to authenticate the payments.
In the absence of the required supporting documents to prove the legitimacy of the expenditures, we recommended that the technical team at the Maintenance Department (Architect, Site Manager, Administrator, and others) should refund the amount of GH¢263,596.42 to the University.”
Procurement Department
“We noted that Messrs Red Mango Limited who won a contract for the supply of Automatic Turnstile Gate and accessories at the University presented Invalid Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC).
We recommended that the Tender Evaluation Panel should pay critical attention to Section 22 of Public Procurement Act, 2003 (Act 663) as amended by Section 7 of the Public Procurement (Amendment) Act, 2016 (Act 914) when evaluating tenders.”
Colleges and Departmental issues – University Printing Press
“We noted from our review of accounts receivables in the Financial Statements of the Printing Press that a total debt of GH¢294,123.00 owed by 14 customers remained uncollected since 2016.
We recommended to Management to institute debt collection strategy to ensure early recovery of the debt and minimise future default rate.”
NHIA to sponsor 3 football clubs whiles owing health providers over 8 months
Preparations are far advanced for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), to officially unveil its partnership and sponsorship of three newly promoted football clubs, to the Ghana Premier League (GPL) in a ceremony today, August 31, 2022.
According to the NHIA, the only way to be most visible, relevant and be a respected public sector organization in Ghana, is to sponsor and partner the three newly promoted clubs to the GPL for the next five years.
THE THREE CLUBS
Kotoku Royals, Samartex and Nsoatreman are the beneficiary football clubs which are to be sponsored, as further details, will be discovered at the official unveiling today, Wednesday 31st August, 2022 at 11am at the main Ground Floor of the NHIA auditorium
The entry of these three clubs to the Ghana Premier Football League according to the NHIA has attracted attention and admiration among the large sport-loving fraternity in Ghana.
PAYMENT OF ARREARS
The Metro Lens Newspaper has therefore, observed the action of the NHIA as a sharp contrast of its core functions to represent the interest of their clients (the private sector) in the payment of their over eight months arrears.
Again, many innocent patients including actor Prince Yawson alias Waakye have lost their lives as a result of the unavailability of beds or what has been mostly touted as “no bed syndrome” in hospitals.
This can be attributed to the country’s health insurance service provider to service the debt owed private and quasi-hospitals timeously to enable them have the funds to purchase more beds to accommodate patients who report at their facilities.
The lack of beds in hospitals causes delay in obtaining treatment for patients as they would have to be rushed helter skelter to hospitals which have extra beds.
PRIVATE HEALTH FACILITIES ASSOCIATION
Speaking to the Vice President of the Private Health Facilities Association, Samuel Boakye Dankwa said that, the NHIA owes private and quasi-health facilities since the beginning of the year.
He admitted that, most of the health facilities are in dire need of funds to run their day-to-day activities adding: “we just received the arrears for December 2021. About three percent of our members have only received the arrears of January, this year”.
Mr. Dankwa added that, the debt owed health facilities were at variance as such, would be unable to give a specific total amount that is yet to be paid them.
NHIA
Meanwhile, among the core functions of the NHIA include; receive, process and pay claims for services rendered by healthcare providers; ensure the efficiency and quality of services under the national and private health insurance schemes and protect the interest of members of private health insurance schemes.
Again, the NHIA intends to leverage on the whirlwind support from their local communities, districts, and regions to register several thousand onto the Scheme to drive membership at all their home game matches and other venues.
The Management of the NHIA hopes that, these partnerships will bring the Scheme alive and generate some vibrancy and excitement around the NHIS and in return for the sponsorship, the NHIS Brand embossed on player jerseys, stadia, social media branding, TV & Radio, etc will provide huge visibility, affection, and support for the Scheme.
Management of the firm believe NHIA’s association with sports will be used to promote a healthy lifestyle among the public resulting in a more productive population with lower disease conditio