A brewing controversy is unfolding in one of the colleges of education in the Ashanti Region, where four senior staff members who admitted to theft and procurement-related misconduct are reportedly being pushed for reinstatement by the Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC)—despite conclusive findings against them by the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO).

Key figures implicated in the scandal include:

• Stephen Atta – Chief Procurement Officer

• Eric Morgan – Principal Stores Assistant

• Evelyn Nyarko – Senior Domestic Bursar

• Augustine Nitim Duddu – Senior Stores Assistant

According to documents and testimonies gathered by Classfmonline.com, the four were investigated by EOCO for conspiracy, theft of college funds, and fraudulent procurement practices. 

Three of the officials—Atta, Morgan, and Nyarko—admitted to their involvement in ‘ghost’ procurement transactions and acknowledged receiving personal financial benefits from the deals.

EOCO’s probe revealed:

• Stephen Atta refunded GHS 5,000

• Eric Morgan refunded GHS 10,000

• Evelyn Nyarko refunded GHS 10,000

Meanwhile, Augustine Nitim Duddu was implicated in a conflict of interest case for accepting gifts from suppliers engaged by the college.

EOCO’s investigations culminated in individual reports served to each of the four officials, and the findings were subsequently forwarded to the College’s Governing Council, which initiated disciplinary proceedings in line with standard procedures for public academic institutions.

Despite EOCO’s findings and the ongoing disciplinary actions, sources confirm that GTEC, through its Corporate Affairs Directorate, has written multiple letters to the College’s Principal, strongly suggesting the reinstatement of the implicated staff. 

This development has stirred unease within the college community, with several stakeholders questioning the motives behind GTEC’s position.

Internal sources at the College describe the four as “known rabble-rousers,” suggesting that their actions had previously disrupted administrative operations and procurement integrity.

One senior administrator, who spoke to Classfmonline.com on condition of anonymity, stated:

“These individuals admitted wrongdoing, repaid part of what they stole, and yet we are being pressured to reinstate them.

 This undermines EOCO’s work and sets a dangerous precedent.”

The case raises serious questions about governance in Ghana’s tertiary education system—especially regarding the enforcement of anti-corruption frameworks and the independence of regulatory bodies like GTEC.

GTEC has yet to respond publicly to the allegations of backdoor interference.

 Meanwhile, pressure is mounting on the Ministry of Education and the College’s Governing Council to uphold EOCO’s findings and allow the disciplinary process to proceed without external influence

More anon!