The Public Accounts Committee of Parliament has summoned Senior Medical Officer Dr Mockshell Esinam Sunu to explain why she allegedly received GH¢341,229 in salary despite not travelling to Germany for an approved study leave with pay.
Dr Sunu, who worked at Takoradi Hospital, is said to have continued receiving her salary from September 2023 to August 2025, even though she did not proceed with the approved overseas study programme.
The Committee wants the doctor to account for her decision to remain in Ghana while being paid under the terms of the study leave.
Appearing before the Committee, chairperson Abena Osei-Asare instructed the Ministry of Health to work with the Ghana Medical Association to ensure Dr Sunu attends a hearing.
The Committee said it needed to establish why Dr Sunu informed the facility that she would leave the country to study, but remained in Ghana and continued to draw her salary.
“We want where the doctor is. It is just a call to the Ghana Medical Association and they will locate where the doctor is. We want to have the doctor right here to explain to us why she told the facility she was going away to study only for her to be away for how long to still be in this country, taking salary without doing the needful,” Ms Osei-Asare said.
The chairperson’s directive followed the Committee’s consideration of the alleged payment, which has been described as an unearned salary.
She said Dr Sunu should appear in person to explain the circumstances surrounding the payments and her failure to travel to Germany as approved.
The Director-General of the Ghana Health Service told the Committee that efforts would be made with the Ministry of Health and the Medical and Dental Council to locate the doctor.
“Madam Chair, the Ministry and Ghana Health Service will work and liaise with the Medical and Dental Council to trace the doctor and get her back here to respond,” he said.
The Ghana Health Service is therefore expected to coordinate with the relevant health authorities to trace Dr Sunu and facilitate her appearance before the Public Accounts Committee.
