The Public Axxounts Committee of Parliament has instructed Prof. Kenneth Attafuah, the Executive Secretary of the National Identification Authority (NIA), to reimburse over GHS98,000 deducted from the Authority’s Account as a penalty for delayed transfer of Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) contributions.

Following the NIA's failure to promptly remit SSNIT contributions, the penalty was covered using the Authority’s funds.

The Public Accounts Committee, echoing the Auditor-General’s recommendation, has affirmed that Prof. Ken Attafuah and the financial controller should be held accountable for the penalty's cost.

During a hearing before the Public Accounts Committee on Wednesday, February 7, the Executive Secretary of the NIA was given a one-month deadline to refund the amount.

"The recommendation stipulates that you should reimburse the funds, with the money to be repaid by the Chief Executive and Financial Controller. While you have explained why the withheld money was not paid to SSNIT, the committee does not accept your rationale.

"Therefore, the Auditor General's recommendation stands: the Chief Executive and the Financial Controller must return the funds to the recovery account of the Auditor General within one month."