Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has disclosed that preliminary audits of the government payroll have uncovered a significant number of so-called “ghost names”—individuals receiving salaries despite not actively working in the public service.
In a meeting with leaders of key tertiary education unions—namely the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG)—Dr. Forson said the findings emerged from an ongoing payroll audit led by the Auditor-General’s office.
“This situation, if addressed decisively, could yield substantial savings for the public purse,” Dr. Forson said, describing the findings as a major opportunity to tighten fiscal oversight and improve public sector accountability.
The Minister urged the union leaders to back the audit, calling it a national imperative to ensure fiscal discipline and transparency in government spending. “Cleaning the payroll is not only about fiscal prudence; it is also about restoring integrity and fairness in public sector compensation,” he stated.
The meeting followed a formal request from the unions regarding the release of the Book and Research Allowance. In response, Dr. Forson assured union leaders that the allowances have been fully budgeted for in the 2025 fiscal year and that disbursement processes are already underway in coordination with the Ministry of Education.
The Minister also praised the unions for proposing the creation of a Labour Relations Desk within the Finance Ministry. He described the initiative as a “constructive step” that would help institutionalize dialogue between the government and labour stakeholders.
Dr. Forson emphasized the government’s continued commitment to building a sustainable and equitable public service. “We remain committed to working closely with all stakeholders to build a sustainable, equitable, and accountable public service,” he said.
The audit and related payroll reforms are part of broader government efforts to streamline expenditure and address inefficiencies within Ghana’s public sector, which continues to face scrutiny over wage-related leakages and administrative lapses.
Source:TheDotNews