Government Payroll Audit Phase 2

The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) have commenced a nationwide joint investigation and corruption risk assessment into Government Payroll Administration. The exercise aims to identify and remove ghost names (deceased, retired, post-vacators, missing, and ineligible persons) from the government payroll, recover wrongful and unearned salaries, prosecute culpable individuals, and strengthen internal controls.  Pilot Phase Results (Northern Region – Dec 2023 to April 2024):

   1.  A total of GH₵2,854,144.80 in monthly unearned salaries was blocked in January 2024.

   2.  This action saved the Republic GH₵34,249,737.60 for the 2024 financial year, with equivalent annual savings expected in subsequent years.

The OSP is currently working to recover previously paid unearned salaries and is collaborating with CAGD to implement stronger payroll controls. The investigation will now be extended to the remaining 15 regions under Phase I. Prosecution of persons suspected of corruption and related offences in the payroll scandal is also underway.