“Payroll Audit Uncovers Ghost Names, Abandoned Projects to Be Reassessed” – Forson Declares on Mid-Year Review In Parliament

By: Nana Kwasi Roka

Ghana’s Finance Minister, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has revealed that a recent national payroll audit uncovered several irregularities, including ghost names, while the government is also set to conduct a comprehensive review of abandoned and stalled infrastructure projects across the country.

Dr. Forson made the announcement during his presentation of the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review Statement to Parliament on Thursday, July 24, 2025.

“Our audit of the public payroll has exposed significant irregularities, including the presence of ghost workers and unearned wage payments,” he said. “We are taking urgent steps to clean the payroll and save the public purse.”

Ghost Names and Payroll Leakages

The payroll audit, which covered key sectors including education, health and local government, revealed thousands of non-existent or inactive employees still drawing salaries.

Dr. Forson emphasized that the findings would be followed by:

● Prosecution of individuals involved in payroll fraud,

● Strengthening of the biometric verification system and

● Full integration of payroll data with the Ghana Card platform.

He estimated that plugging these payroll loopholes could save the country hundreds of millions of Ghana cedis annually, thereby reducing the pressure on the wage bill.

Audit-Driven Discipline

The move is part of a broader Public Financial Management (PFM) reform agenda, aimed at boosting transparency and efficiency in the use of public funds.

“Cleaning the payroll isn’t just a fiscal issue. It’s a governance and accountability imperative,” Forson added.

Review of Abandoned Projects

Turning to infrastructure, the minister announced that government is compiling a comprehensive database of all stalled and abandoned projects with a view to determining which ones are economically viable and can be completed.

“We are working with relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies to review all such projects and prioritize those that align with national needs and available financing,” he noted.

He said that the review would factor in:

● Project cost-benefit analysis

● Degree of completion

● Social and economic impact
sources (e.g., loans, grants, GoG funds)

Economic Context

Ghana’s public sector wage bill remains a major drain on the national budget, consuming nearly 50% of total tax revenue. With the economy still under an IMF programme, trimming inefficiencies has become even more urgent.

Dr. Forson concluded by promising that the payroll and project audits would be completed before the presentation of the 2026 Budget later this year.

“This government is serious about value for money. We are not here to spend. We are here to build responsibly,” he stated.