The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has uncovered widespread corruption within the Ghana Education Service (GES), involving fake schools, forged appointments, and the validation of non-existent staff, commonly referred to as “ghost names”. The probe revealed that unauthorized validators were managing payrolls in educational institutions under the GES and at the Tamale Teaching Hospital.
According to the OSP, a primary school in the Kumbungu District was found to be completely fictitious, yet purported staff were receiving monthly salaries. The investigation, conducted jointly with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department, uncovered GH₵2.85 million in unearned salaries paid to “ghost names” in the Northern Region. These ghost names include individuals who are deceased, retired, missing, or no longer in their positions.
The OSP has been investigating various forms of corruption within the GES and Ghana Health Service, including the illegal issuance of appointment letters and the validation of ghost names on public payrolls. In a recent development, six individuals, including school administrators, payroll officers, and accountants, were convicted in a Tamale High Court for engaging in a payroll corruption scheme at the GES. The court ordered the convicts to pay back over GH₵ 106,000 to the state.
The OSP has emphasized the importance of deterrence and accountability, noting that the convictions are part of broader efforts to tackle systemic corruption in public institutions. Further investigations are underway, with several other suspects being pursued for similar payroll-related infractions.
This scandal highlights the need for transparency and accountability in Ghana’s public sector, particularly in institutions responsible for education and healthcare. The OSP’s efforts to root out corruption and promote transparency are crucial in restoring public trust and ensuring that resources are used effectively to benefit the Ghanaian people.