Accra: The Ghana Audit Service will recover GHS150.4 million in unearned salaries from 53,311 separated staff over the 2023-2024 period. This follows a nationwide payroll audit commissioned by the Government across all 16 regions as part of efforts to sanitise the public sector payroll and eliminate ghost names.
According to Ghana News Agency, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, Minister of Finance, disclosed this while presenting the Government's 2025 Mid-Year Fiscal Policy Review dubbed 'Resetting the Economy for the Ghana We Want 2025.' The exercise would affect separated staff who have retired, resigned, been terminated, are on leave without pay, or deceased, yet remain on the government payroll.
Dr. Forson said the Ministry would enforce a monthly payroll validation process and apply strict sanctions to individuals who approve ghost names for salary payments. He emphasized, 'Let me use this opportunity to strongly caution those who validate 'ghosts' across the public service that they will be personally liable for the loss of public funds.'
The Minister further stated, 'The Ministry of Finance will continue to monitor the payroll and put in place measures to prevent 'ghost names' on our payroll.' Providing an update on arrears and payables as of the end of 2024, he mentioned that out of GHS68.7 billion audited, GHS28.3 billion was validated for payment.
He also noted that GHS3.6 billion was rejected due to errors, duplications, and non-compliance with Public Financial Management and procurement rules. 'An amount of GHS562.6 million was without adequate supporting documents, and GHS27.3 billion was pending validation,' he added.
