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Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has issued a strong warning to public sector payroll validators, emphasizing that officials who knowingly approve ghost names or ineligible staff on government payroll will be held personally accountable.
Speaking on the Citi Breakfast Show after delivering the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, Dr. Forson revealed that audits have so far identified around 14,000 untraceable names on the payroll, suspected to be “ghost workers.”
“We’ve found about 14,000 people we can’t validate. We can’t find them. They may be ghosts,” he stated, noting that the issue cuts across various sectors.
He further disclosed that about 53,000 “separated staff”—retired, dismissed, deceased, or otherwise ineligible individuals—are still drawing salaries from the public purse.
“These are people not supposed to be on the payroll,” he emphasized. “I’m waiting for the Auditor-General to confirm the final numbers. The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department and other validators have questions to answer.”
Dr. Forson stressed the government’s commitment to public financial management reforms and cleaning up payroll irregularities. He directly addressed school heads, hospital administrators, and public sector managers, warning:
“You are playing with public funds and may be personally liable for the validations you’ve done over the years. If you knowingly validate ghost names, we will hold you responsible.”
The Finance Minister’s stance signals a major crackdown on payroll fraud in Ghana’s public sector, with accountability measures expected to follow once the audit is finalized.
