The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Controller & Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) have released findings from their investigation into the Government of Ghana Payroll Administration.

This investigation focused on employees in the Northern Region.

According to the joint statement, the payroll system for educational institutions under the Ghana Education Service and the Tamale Teaching Hospital in the Northern Region is managed by an alarming number of unauthorized and inactive validators. It was discovered that GH¢2.8 million was paid in monthly salaries to ‘ghost names’—individuals who were deceased, retired, no longer in service, or listed as missing.

The investigation also revealed that a primary school in the Kumbungu District was non-existent but had staff being paid monthly salaries.

“A staggering amount of GH¢2,854,144.80 was identified as fraudulent monthly salaries, attributed to individuals who were deceased, retired, no longer in their positions, flagged as missing, or whose whereabouts were unknown, commonly referred to as ‘ghost names,'” the statement said.

“By blocking these payments and removing the corresponding individuals from the government payroll, the Republic saved GH¢34,249,737.60 for the 2024 financial year. Additionally, ongoing savings are expected in subsequent years, along with potential upward pay adjustments, thanks to the detection of these fraudulent salaries facilitated by the joint investigation of the OSP.”

The OSP and CAGD are conducting an enhanced investigation into the educational institutions under the Ghana Education Service in the Northern Region and the Tamale Teaching Hospital. This investigation aims to prosecute those who promoted the non-existent school and validated deceased, untraceable, and retired persons, as well as those who have vacated their posts. Future phases of the investigation will extend to the remaining fifteen regions.

Read the statement below: