‘Ghost Names’ removed from government payroll thanks to Ghana Card – Bawumia Politics

Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has reiterated the government’s dedication to resolving the ongoing issue of “ghost names” on the public payroll. These fraudulent entries, which have siphoned off public funds for years, are a key focus in the administration’s bid to improve financial accountability and restore public confidence.

During a visit to Bawjiase in the Awutu Senya West Constituency, Dr. Bawumia highlighted the government’s continued efforts to audit the payroll system, ensuring that only genuine employees receive salaries. He explained that tackling the issue of ghost names is central to protecting public resources and forms part of a broader anti-corruption initiative.

He noted that eliminating these fake entries has led to significant financial savings and improved operational efficiency. Dr. Bawumia also emphasized the importance of fighting corruption in all its forms, pointing out that the removal of ghost names is critical for achieving greater transparency and accountability within the public financial system.

“We’ve made tremendous strides in removing ghost names from the government payroll, starting with the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), where 29,000 ghost names were removed, saving GH¢400 million,” he stated.

He further added that the National Service Scheme eliminated 44,000 ghost personnel, resulting in savings of over GH¢300 million. The Controller and Accountant General has since cleared all remaining ghost names from the government payroll.

“With the introduction of the Ghana Card, we can confidently say that ghost names no longer exist on our government payroll,” Dr. Bawumia concluded.