The Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, has said the government is intensifying efforts to clean up public sector payrolls by eliminating "ghost names."

Dr Cassiel Ato Forson stated that; "As part of our physical consolidation strategy, we have implemented measures to sanitise public sector payrolls and remove ghost names. We have engaged the Ghana Audit Service to conduct a nationwide payroll audit across all 16 regions of the country."

He added that; "The audit service has completed 91% of the payroll audit. So far, they have been unable to identify or verify more than 14,000 workers. Additionally, they have identified 53,311 separated staff still on the payroll. These separated staff include individuals who are retired, reassigned, terminated, on leave without pay, or deceased, yet remain on the government payroll."

Dr Forson emphasised during the Mid-Year Budget Review presentation in Parliament that the government is working at sanitising the public sector.

"Government has taken measures to sanitise public sector payrolls and rid them of ghost names. Let me caution those who validate ghost names across the public service that they will be personally liable for the loss of public funds," he added.

Dr Forson further stated that the audit service expects to recover at least GH¢150.4 million in unearned salaries from the separated staff throughout 2023 and 2024.

He reiterated; "Moving forward, we will enforce a monthly payroll validation process and strictly apply sanctions to anyone who validates ghost names for salary payments."

In conclusion, he stressed, "I strongly caution those who validate ghost names across the public service that they will be personally liable for the loss of public funds."

Watch the video below:

Government has taken measures to sanitize public sector payrolls and rid them of ghostnames. Let me caution those who validate ghost names across the public service that they will be personally liable for the loss of public funds.

—Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson during the mid year… pic.twitter.com/3DSCHZ4rLn

— SIKAOFFICIAL🦍 (@SIKAOFFICIAL1) July 24, 2025