OSP report uncovers Irregularities including GHC 2.8 million paid to ‘Ghost Names’ in northern region

A recent report from a joint investigation by The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Controller and Accountant General Department (CAGD) has uncovered an alarming revelation: GHC 2.8 million in unearned salaries was disbursed to individuals who were deceased, retired, or no longer in their positions in the Northern Region.

The investigation shed light on various irregularities, including the existence of a non-existent primary school in the Kumbungu District of the Ghana Education Service, where salaries were being paid to purported staff.

According to a statement issued by the OSP on Monday (20 May), subsequent actions taken to address these discrepancies have resulted in significant savings for the government:

“It was discovered that a primary school in the Kumbungu District of Ghana Education Service did not exist at all. Yet, this non-existent contrived entity was represented as staffed and the purported staff were being validated monthly and being paid salaries,” the OSP statement revealed.

“A staggering amount of GHC 2,854,144.80 was identified as unearned monthly salaries, attributed to individuals who were deceased, retired, no longer in their positions, flagged as missing, or whose whereabouts were unknown, commonly referred to as ‘Ghost Names.’

“By blocking these payments and removing the corresponding individuals from the Government Payroll, the Republic saved GHC 34,249,737.60 for the 2024 financial year,” the statement added.

Source: Dailymailgh