Assafuah alleges NPRA Acting CEO doubled salary without board approval

The Member of Parliament for Old Tafo, Vincent Ekow Assafuah, has raised serious governance concerns over what he describes as an unauthorised salary increment by the Acting Chief Executive Officer of the National Pensions Regulatory Authority (NPRA), Chris Boadi-Mensah. His allegations have sparked debate over accountability and compliance within key state institutions.

Addressing a press conference on Thursday, April 16, Mr Assafuah alleged that Mr Boadi-Mensah increased his own salary immediately upon assuming office in February 2025, at a time when the NPRA Board had not yet been inaugurated. The timing of the alleged action has raised questions about whether due process and institutional checks were followed.

He questioned the legality of the move, arguing that such a decision could not have been properly authorised within the existing governance structure. According to him, the absence of a duly constituted board removes a critical layer of oversight required for major administrative and financial decisions.

“Under what legal authority did Mr Chris Boadi-Mensah double his salary without board approval?” he asked, adding that the absence of a functioning board at the time raises “grave concerns about the integrity of internal controls and oversight mechanisms.”

The MP stressed that pension funds are not discretionary resources but deferred wages belonging to Ghanaian workers, and must be managed with the highest level of fiduciary discipline. He emphasised that any perception of mismanagement could undermine confidence in the entire pensions framework.

He warned that decisions taken outside proper approval structures risk eroding public trust in the pensions system. Analysts note that trust is a critical component of pension administration, as contributors rely on institutions to safeguard their long-term financial security.

Mr Assafuah is therefore calling for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding the salary adjustment, including documentation of approvals and the legal basis for the increment. He also urged relevant oversight bodies to act swiftly to ensure transparency and accountability.

The development adds to ongoing discussions about governance standards in public institutions, with calls for stricter adherence to established procedures and stronger enforcement of accountability mechanisms within Ghana’s public sector.