The Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) has revealed that five members of its academic staff who were funded to undertake PhD studies overseas have defaulted on the terms of their bonding agreements, leaving the institute with unpaid obligations amounting to GH¢1.7 million.

The disclosure was made at a session of Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee held on Monday, January 12, where GIMPA’s Registrar, Victoria Kumbuor, detailed the situation and outlined steps being taken to retrieve the outstanding sums.

She informed the committee that Ann-Shirley Appiatse is indebted to the institute in the amount of GH¢777,000, Julius Quarshie owes GH¢524,000, Dr Hanson Addy has an outstanding balance of GH¢224,000, Afua Ataa Boakyewaa owes GH¢230,000, while Christiana Osei Bonsu’s liability stands at GH¢38,700.

Ms Kumbuor explained that GIMPA has activated enforcement mechanisms to recover the funds, including placing restrictions on the benefits of individuals who acted as guarantors for the lecturers under the bonding arrangements.

She noted that these actions are part of wider institutional efforts to protect public resources and ensure adherence to contractual obligations linked to staff training and development initiatives.

“The amounts in question relate to sponsorship packages granted to faculty members to pursue doctoral studies, with the understanding that they would return and contribute to the institute after completion,” she said.

“Although bonds were duly signed, some of the beneficiaries did not return as agreed. Consequently, management resolved to place holds on their accrued benefits, such as provident fund and credit scheme entitlements, as well as those of their guarantors. Through these measures, we have managed to retrieve part of the outstanding funds,” she added.