Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has revealed that a nationwide payroll audit has uncovered significant irregularities in the public sector, including more than 14,000 unverified workers and over 53,000 separated staff who continue to receive salaries.
Presenting the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, Dr. Forson said the Ghana Audit Service—commissioned by the Ministry of Finance—has completed 91% of the audit across all 16 regions.
“So far, the Audit Service has not been able to identify or verify over 14,000 workers,” he stated.
He added that 53,307 individuals who have either retired, been terminated, reassigned, gone on leave without pay, or passed away are still drawing salaries from the government payroll.
According to him, the Audit Service expects to recover at least GH¢150.4 million in unearned salaries paid to these separated staff during the 2023 and 2024 fiscal years.
Describing the revelations as “deeply troubling,” Dr. Forson stressed the need for strict enforcement of payroll controls to curb future financial losses.
“Going forward, we will enforce the monthly payroll validation system and apply sanctions to any person who violates the salary payment processes,” he cautioned.
The audit is part of the government’s broader efforts to clean up the public payroll and safeguard national resources.
Source: Adomonline.com
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