Ghana Suspends Salaries of Thousands in Payroll Cleanup
The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) in Ghana has taken decisive action to safeguard public funds by suspending the salaries of 5,673 government employees. This move is part of a larger nationwide initiative aimed at eliminating irregularities and fraudulent entries from the national payroll system.
Uncovering “Separated Staff”
The salary suspensions were triggered by the findings of the 2025 Nationwide Payroll Headcount Exercise, conducted by the Ghana Audit Service. The audit revealed that a staggering 53,311 individuals listed on the government’s payroll were classified as “separated staff,” meaning they were no longer actively employed by the government but were still drawing salaries. While the majority (47,638) of these separated staff had already been removed from the payroll, the remaining 5,673 individuals continued to receive payments. Their salaries, processed for July 2025, have now been suspended pending further investigation. The CAGD has instructed heads of public sector institutions to begin the process of recovering any unearned salaries paid out due to incorrect validation. Further action will be taken against affected employees after the investigation is complete.
This bold action underscores the government’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and transparency in public financial management. By identifying and removing ghost employees from the payroll, Ghana aims to channel public funds more effectively towards essential services and development projects.
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