In a significant move to safeguard the public purse, the Controller and Accountant-General's Department (CAGD) has announced the termination of salaries for tens of thousands of inactive or separated government employees following a nationwide payroll headcount. The exercise, conducted by the Ghana Audit Service, uncovered a staggering 53,311 officers who were no longer active staff but were still receiving salaries.
The stern notice, dated July 24, 2025, and signed by Sylvester Acquah, Ag. Deputy Controller & Acct.-General (PM), reveals that as part of immediate measures, the salaries of 5,673 employees processed for payment in July 2025 have been suspended, pending further investigations. For an additional 47,638 officers, their salaries have already been terminated and they no longer appear on the current payroll.
The CAGD is now mandating all heads of institutions to take proactive steps to recover any unearned salaries that may have been paid due to wrongful validation. This directive underscores the government's commitment to fiscal discipline and accountability.
Furthermore, the notice provides a clear path for genuinely affected government employees. Any staff member whose salary has been stopped but is legitimately at post is required to obtain a letter from their respective covered entity. This letter, addressed to the Auditor-General with a copy to the Ministry of Finance, will enable the necessary remedial action to be taken, ensuring that active employees are not unfairly impacted.
The department has confirmed that a comprehensive list of affected employees will be distributed electronically or in hard copy to relevant institutions to facilitate the necessary follow-up actions and ensure transparency in this critical exercise. This payroll clean-up is expected to significantly reduce government expenditure on undeserved salaries, freeing up resources for vital public services.
