OSP, CAGD investigation uncovers GH¢34m payment to ‘ghosts names’ in Northern Region
By DL News
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Updated
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The joint corruption risk assessment and investigation also uncovered GH¢2.8 million in unearned monthly salaries paid to deceased individuals, retirees, those who had vacated their posts.
A collaborative investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) in examining the government payroll administration has resulted in significant savings of approximately GH¢34 million for the country.
The joint corruption risk assessment and investigation also uncovered GH¢2.8 million in unearned monthly salaries paid to deceased individuals, retirees, those who had vacated their posts, individuals flagged as missing staff, or whose whereabouts were unknown.
The findings were detailed in a report released and signed by Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng.
This investigation focused on the Northern Region, specifically targeting educational institutions under the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
The report highlighted a particularly egregious case where a primary school in the Kumbungu District, which did not exist, was being shown as operational with staff who were being paid salaries.
Upon identifying these payroll discrepancies, the OSP ordered the cessation of these payments and the removal of the affected individuals from the payroll.
Additionally, it was found that some head teachers and unit heads were approving salaries for individuals whose whereabouts were unknown, including those who were deceased, retired, or had left their positions.
The investigation, which ran from December last year to April this year, involved a team of investigators, tracers, and assessors from the OSP and selected staff from the CAGD's Payroll Processing Directorate.
They scrutinized 1,265 individuals flagged as high-risk for corruption and related activities.
