Mid-Year Budget: Payroll audit uncovers over 14,000 ghost workers – Ato Forson

Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has disclosed that a nationwide payroll audit has uncovered significant irregularities in the public sector payroll, including over 14,000 unverifiable workers and 53,307 separated staff still receiving salaries.

Presenting the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 24, Dr. Forson revealed that the Ghana Audit Service—commissioned by the Ministry of Finance—has completed 91% of the audit across all 16 regions.

Despite the progress, more than 14,000 workers on the government payroll could not be identified or verified.

He further noted that 53,307 individuals, classified as retired, reassigned, terminated, on leave without pay, or deceased, continue to receive government salaries.

“The Audit Service expects to recover a minimum of GHS150.4 million in unearned salaries from these separated staff over the 2023 and 2024 period alone,” he stated.

Describing the findings as deeply concerning, Dr. Forson underscored the urgency of strengthening payroll systems and enforcing accountability.

“Going forward, we will enforce the monthly payroll validation system and strictly apply sanctions to anyone who violates the process of paying salaries,” he added.