The University of Ghana has denied allegations that it overstated employee compensation by GH¢59.2 million between 2022 and 2024, describing the claims in a Joy News article dated May 16, 2025, as a “misrepresentation of facts” that distorts its financial operations.
In a press statement issued the same day, the University clarified that the figure cited as irregular arose from a misunderstanding of its dual payroll system one funded by the Government of Ghana and another sustained through Internally Generated Funds (IGF).
It stressed that the IGF payroll, used to pay contract staff including retired professors, follows all public financial reporting standards and is not subject to government reimbursement.
UG accused the Special Audit Report cited in the story of failing to distinguish between the two payrolls, misleading the public by aggregating the figures.
Providing context, the University revealed that 887 staff exited between 2021 and 2024, but only 102 received government hiring clearance in 2024, despite rising student enrolment.
To bridge the staffing gap, UG said it relied on internally generated funds to maintain academic standards.
The statement also criticised Joy News for not seeking the University’s input before publication, calling the oversight an affront to journalistic ethics.
UG reaffirmed its compliance with financial regulations and urged the public to disregard what it called a “false narrative.”
