Gov't's frozen accounts will not affect civil servants' salary payment- Controller

The Controller and Accountant General’s Department has assured that payment of public sector salaries for November will not be affected.

This follows reports that two critical accounts of government; the Consolidated Fund and Treasury Single Accounts, have been frozen over delays in the payment of some GHC300 million in judgement debt to Non-Bank financial institution, NDK.

The development resulted in speculations that government may struggle to meet some critical payments, like salaries of public sector workers, interest payment on loans as well as some service providers and contractors.

But speaking with JOY BUSINESS, Head of Public Relations at the Controller and Accountant Generals Department, Robert Cudjoe, said they haven’t be given any formal letter, to indicate that the account for paying salaries of public sector workers has been frozen.

“Since the beginning of this month, they have been able to carry out the necessary processes that should aid salary payment from next this week,” he added.

Mr. Cudjoe said as far as he is concerned, it has been business as usual for the Department, adding they can only stop making withdrawals from the Account when they receive a formal letter from Bank of Ghana (BoG).

“My comments are neither to confirm or deny that some accounts have been frozen, but only to reemphasize the point that everything is going on fine here at the Department," he stressed.

For financial analyst believe the new development could reinforce suspicions that the said accounts have not been frozen, as directed by the courts while others say someone is up to something behind the scenes.

A senior government official who earlier this week confirmed the freeze told JOYBUSINESS that, “as at now, I cannot use my official vehicle because we cannot get money to fuel it.”

For now, government remains tight-lipped on the issue and has not released any official communication on this issue.

Story by Ghana | Myjoyonline.com | Joy Business