Minister of the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, appeared before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on October 20, 2026, to respond to queries arising from financial irregularities identified in the Auditor-General’s reports.
During the session, the minister also addressed other issues, including updates on the alleged sexual misconduct at Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), security concerns, and issues affecting the various security agencies under his Ministry.
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Here are the highlights from his appearance before PAC.
Semen Sample, DNA Test taken from former Obuasi SHTS headmaster
Muntaka gave details of the investigation into the sexual scandal involving students of Obuasi Senior High Technical School (SHTS), who were allegedly molested by their headmaster, Zakaria Abdulai.
Speaking before Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC) on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, the minister disclosed that the suspect has been arrested, with investigations ongoing and DNA tests being pursued.
He said that the matter was referred to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service on September 7, 2026, after which he directed that the investigation be transferred from the regional level to the national headquarters.
He indicated that investigators have now obtained a semen sample from one of the victims.
“As we speak, the matter is at the police headquarters. We have been able to get one of the ladies,” he said, adding that investigators were working to obtain DNA evidence.
No fresh security service recruitment in 2027
Muntaka also announced that the government will not open applications for fresh recruitment into the various security services in 2027.
The decision, he said, is aimed at clearing the backlog of qualified applicants who have completed the recruitment process but could not be admitted for training due to limited space.
Muntaka explained that the government would prioritise applicants who had already met the requirements for enlistment before considering new applications.
“Next year, there will be no new applicants. We are not going to open the portal based on the President’s instructions. We are not going to open the portal for fresh applications. Those who have already applied, gone through and passed the process and qualified to have gone for training but space didn’t allow are the ones we will pick,” he said.
“We will keep picking from the list until we exhaust it before another application will be allowed,” he added.
Prison Service inmate funds
Another issue that came to light at PAC was the misapplication of GH¢277,625 meant to support inmates’ motivation, training, counselling and reintegration by the Ghana Prisons Service.
The Service is said to have failed to pay the amount to inmates engaged in paid labour activities, with the funds instead spent on funeral donations, water purchases, toner, repair of bus and other unrelated expenses.
In response, Muntaka revealed that the money had been retrieved and paid into the Auditor- General’s account.
Prison Infrastructure
Muntaka also raised concerns over the poor conditions under which inmates live.
He said his visits to six prisons since assuming office had exposed him to challenges that, in his view, public officials needed to see for themselves before making decisions affecting the Ghana Prisons Service.
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“I think we should have a programme where, deliberately, we all visit and see the kind of condition,” he told the committee.
“At least since, frankly speaking, until I became Minister, I had never visited any prison. But having been the Minister, I’ve visited six. And what I’ve seen, Madam Chair, what I’ve seen, I really wish that all of us who have the opportunity to serve in public service, Members of Parliament, DCEs, ministers, deputies, CEOs, I think we should have a programme where, deliberately, we all visit and see the kind of condition,” he said.
MAG/VPO
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