Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has called on tertiary education unions to support the ongoing national payroll audit aimed at eliminating ghost names and promoting integrity in public sector compensation.
Speaking during a meeting with the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), Dr. Forson emphasised the urgent need to clean the payroll system.
He revealed that preliminary findings from the Auditor-General’s audit point to the presence of numerous ghost names, and noted that addressing the issue could result in substantial savings for the nation.
“Payroll reform is not only about fiscal responsibility,” he said. “It is also about fairness and transparency in managing public resources.”
Dr. Forson urged the unions to lend their full support to the audit exercise to help build a more accountable and efficient system.
In the same meeting, the Minister assured the unions that their Book and Research Allowances have been fully captured in the 2025 Budget. He added that disbursement processes have already commenced in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to ensure timely payment.
The unions also proposed the establishment of a dedicated Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance to enhance engagement with organised labour. Dr. Forson welcomed the proposal, describing it as a step in the right direction toward improved coordination and responsiveness.
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