Controller and Accountant General Announces End to ‘Ghost Names’ on Ghana’s Payroll System

The Controller and Accountant General, Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem, proudly announced that Ghana’s payroll system has been successfully purged of “ghost names,” marking a significant milestone in the country’s efforts towards transparent and efficient governance. This achievement was made possible through the implementation of a robust digital solution aimed at ensuring the credibility and integrity of the payroll database.

Speaking at the 2024 Controller and Accountant General’s Department Annual Conference held in Kumasi, Ashanti Region, Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem emphasized the rigorous interventions put in place to eradicate unauthorized individuals from the payroll. He assured attendees that measures had been taken to prevent any instances of unscrupulous individuals benefiting from government resources through unauthorized payroll entries.

Highlighting the technical aspects of the initiative, Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem explained that the successful integration of the Government of Ghana (GOG) National Mechanized Payroll Database with the National Identification Authority (NIA) database played a pivotal role in achieving this milestone. The system’s real-time biometric validation and verification processes, decentralized to various verification centers across the country, have significantly enhanced accessibility and convenience while ensuring the accuracy and reliability of payroll data.

Moreover, Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem issued a stern warning to public sector workers without a Ghana Card, stating that they risked losing their salaries effective March 2024 if they failed to comply with the new requirement.

The Controller and Accountant General’s declaration that there are no longer any “ghost names” on the government’s payroll reflects a commendable achievement in the realm of public sector management. This success underscores Ghana’s commitment to fostering accountability, transparency, and responsible governance practices. It serves as a testament to the effective utilization of technology and collaborative efforts between government agencies in addressing systemic challenges and advancing national development agendas.