Meetings with the Public Accounts Committeeof Parliament are often charged with tension, given the rigorous examination and scrutiny that typically ensue.
These sessions can become notably heated, with committee members rigorously probing those under review.
However, during a recent session, the atmosphere took an unexpected turn.
Emmanuel Samson, a teacher from Akropong Number One D/A JHS in the Gomoa West District, who was summoned for an alleged misuse of salary overpayments, managed to bring a sense of levity to the proceedings.
Instead of the usual intense grilling, Samson’s appearance provided moments of light-heartedness, as he elicited laughter and giggles from the committee members.
His presence, and the way he handled the situation, injected an unusual but welcome dose of humor into the typically serious environment of parliamentary scrutiny.
Asked by James Klutse Avedzi, Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, “When you got the money, which was more than the amount you were expecting, did you know at that time when you received the salary?” he replied:
“No, please. When I got the money, I thought it was my money until the auditors came in,” to which the whole room started giggling, with many of the members laughing.
The Ranking Member on the Committee, Davis Ansah Opoku (OPK), who is also the Member of Parliament for Mpraeso, then asked, “Like we say in our local settings, you have chopped the money? Mr Samson, you have chopped the money?”
“Yes, boss,” the GES officer answered.
(The whole room bursts into laughter once again)
“Alright, we are grateful for your sincerity…” OPK said.
The conversations continued from there, with James Azedzi asking Emmanuel Samson to ensure that, as he had assured the committee that he would pay back at the end of August 2024, he does so, or else he will instruct the auditors to take action against him.
Public Account Committee Sitting: "Yes, I chopped the money" – GES officer confesses to receiving GHC 15K salary overpayment.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/XcPv4f1KGU
— JoyNews (@JoyNewsOnTV) August 20, 2024
