Ghana Seeks to Prosecute Officials Over Unearned Salaries Scandal

Strategic Insights -

The Auditor-General's Office has announced plans to prosecute public officials involved in the recovery of GHS10 million in unearned salaries, following a special audit that exposed systemic payroll mismanagement. The recovery of the funds marks a significant step towards accountability and comes on the back of a growing scandal involving the payment of unearned salaries to separated government workers. The scandal has highlighted a catastrophic breakdown in payroll controls, with officials found to have negligently or complicitly allowed unearned salaries to be paid out.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Auditor-General's Office has recovered GHS10 million in unearned salaries, with a further GHS140 million still targeted for recovery.
  • A total of 53,311 separated government workers remained on the payroll, costing the state GHS150.36 million in unearned salaries.
  • The audit uncovered that 2,446 individuals were inexplicably paid, highlighting a catastrophic breakdown in payroll controls.
  • The Auditor-General's Office is collaborating with the CID to identify and go after the officials who validated these unearned salaries.
  • Officials implicated in the scandal include payroll officers, controllers, human resource personnel, and heads of institutions.
  • The Attorney General's Office is working with the Judicial Service to establish special courts to expedite prosecutions related to Auditor-General reports.
  • Notifying individuals of discrepancies prompted the GHS10 million recovery, saving time and resources on legal battles.

Statistics:

  • GHS10 million: The amount recovered in unearned salaries over the past two months.
  • GHS150.36 million: The total cost of unearned salaries for 53,311 separated government workers.
  • 2,446: The number of individuals inexplicably paid.
  • 53,311: The total number of separated government workers who remained on the payroll.
  • GHS140 million: The amount still targeted for recovery.

Sources:

  • Ghana Web: "Auditor General to prosecute officials who validated fake payroll payments" (16 September 2025)
  • Daily Graphic: Interview with Auditor-General Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu (exact date not provided)
  • Ministry of Finance: 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review (July 24, 2025)
  • Office of the President: Media encounter with President John Dramani Mahama (September 10, 2025)