JoyNews has firmly defended its coverage of the University of Ghana’s payroll discrepancies following sharp criticism from the university and its teachers’ association, emphasizing that its reporting was rooted in verified facts from the Auditor-General’s official audit report.
The media outlet’s reporting highlighted findings from the Auditor-General’s May 16, 2025, payroll audit, which identified a GH¢59.24 million discrepancy in the university’s employee compensation claims over the period 2022 to 2024. According to the audit, UG claimed GH¢1.09 billion in salary payments, but only GH¢1.03 billion was approved after verification, suggesting possible overstatements.
University management and the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG-UG) have vehemently disputed the claims, asserting that the flagged amounts represent legitimate payments sourced from internally generated funds. These funds, they explain, were used to supplement government payroll, particularly for staff such as retired faculty who remain engaged in university activities.
Responding to the backlash, JoyNews Editor Evans Mensah stressed that the media’s role is to report on public records accurately, and any grievances should be addressed directly to the audit institution. Mensah criticized UG and UTAG for focusing their ire on the press instead of formally challenging the audit findings through established channels.
“JoyNews reported exactly what the Auditor-General’s report stated. If there are objections, they must be taken up with the Auditor-General, not the media,” Mensah said on JoyNews’ The Pulse program. He further urged the university to submit formal clarifications or appeals to the Public Accounts Committee rather than issuing press statements.
The dispute highlights ongoing tensions between public institutions and oversight bodies, as well as the critical role of media in holding institutions accountable by disseminating verified information. For now, the audit findings stand as the official record until further parliamentary review or clarifications are made.
