Controller and Accountant‑General Kwesi Agyei has revealed that approximately 4,000 public sector employees on the government payroll have outstanding student loan obligations. He noted that his office is collaborating with the Student Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) to recover the amounts through structured payroll deductions, in line with the relevant legal and regulatory framework.
Speaking at the launch of the SLTF’s 20th anniversary celebrations, Mr. Agyei emphasised that effective loan recovery is vital to sustaining the revolving fund and expanding access to tertiary education. “The sustainability of revolving funds depends on timely repayment, ensuring resources remain available for future students,” he stated.
He further highlighted that the partnership between the Controller and the Accountant‑General’s Department and the SLTF provides a stronger mechanism to enhance loan recovery and secure the long‑term sustainability of student financing in Ghana.
According to him, as the custodian of the government payroll system, his office is well-positioned to identify beneficiaries employed in the public sector who are on the mechanised payroll, making it possible to recover loans through structured deductions. “Subject to the applicable legal and regulatory framework, such deductions could be administered as statutory deductions to promote consistency, efficiency and compliance.
“In the coming days, we will engage the Trust to agree on the modalities of implementing these deductions,” he said. He added that the deductions are expected to be treated as statutory obligations, alongside existing payments such as SSNIT contributions and PAYE.
“What we want to do is that the deductions will be treated as statutory deductions and expand equitable access to higher education,” he stated.
Source: Kennedy Twumasi
