A nationwide payroll audit has flagged more than 14,000 unverified names on the public sector payroll, raising concerns about possible fraud and wage losses.

The findings were disclosed by Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson during the presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review to Parliament on Thursday.

Dr Forson said the audit, conducted by the Ghana Audit Service across all 16 regions, is part of efforts to clean up the public payroll and reduce losses.

He said 91 per cent of the exercise had so far been completed.

“Mr Speaker, the Audit Service has not been able to identify or verify over 14,000 workers on the government payroll,” Dr Forson told the House.

“Additionally, 53,311 names of separated staff, those who have retired, been reassigned, passed away, or are no longer eligible, were also found to be active on the system.”

He said the government expects to recover at least GH¢150.4 million in unearned salaries from the 2023 and 2024 financial years alone.

To curb future payroll abuse, Dr Forson said the Ministry of Finance will strictly enforce monthly payroll validation and hold accountable any public officer who knowingly approves payments to ineligible staff.

“Let me strongly caution those who validate ghost names across the public service that they will be personally liable for the loss of public funds,” he said.

Dr Forson told Parliament that the Ministry will work to complete the audit and introduce further checks to prevent the re-emergence of ghost names.

“The Ministry will continue to monitor the payroll and put in place measures to prevent ghosts on the payroll going forward,” he said.