We’ll soon stop paying govt employees without Ghana card – Controller

Table of Contents

We’ll soon stop paying govt employees without Ghana card – Controller

Public Sector Salary Updates Follow

In an aggressive move to do away with ghost names in the public sector, the Controller and Accountant General, Mr. Kwasi Kwaning-Bosompem has strongly cautioned workers that his outfit is set to delete names of persons who have not linked their Ghana card to the payroll system.

Effective March 2024, salaries of government workers without a Ghana/ECOWAS Citizens Card will be frozen.

This decision stems from the implementation of a software solution that integrates the databases of the Mechanised Payroll System of the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) and the National Identification Authority (NIA), incorporating real-time biometric validation for salary verification.

The primary goal of this measure is to eradicate ‘ghost names’ from the government payroll, ensuring that only legitimate employees receive payment. Beyond this, the initiative aims to enhance transparency, efficiency, and accountability in the utilization of public funds.

Speaking at the annual conference of the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department in Kumasi, Mr. Kwaning-Bosompem emphasized the need to infuse innovative ways of managing public finances in daily operations to ensure a credible payroll system.

“We have engaged with our members who are on the payroll about the linkage of their NIA number to the payroll database, which started two years ago. And now the implementation has come into force. If you don’t have an NIA card, very soon, your pay will be disconnected.”

Missing Ghana Card

“If your NIA card is missing, it does not mean your number is missing. Your number is still on the database, and we can always cross-check and if we are in doubt, then we invite the person physically to come and do validation,” he said.

How to replace lost or Missing / Damaged Ghana Card anywhere in the Country

The Executive Director of the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), COP Maame Yaa Tiwaa Addo-Danquah, emphasized the need for a collaborative effort in combating corruption.

“I raised concerns because for 4 years the Corruption Perception Index has been stagnant. It is like we are not moving up, we are not moving down. But there are a lot of interventions that have been put in place. We now need to do more because there are a lot of interventions so that the perception of corruption will improve. Everybody must be involved, not only those in authority. If you see something, you must say something. Everybody must be on board and not leave it to only institutions set up to fight corruption,” she urged.

2024 CAGD Payroll Clean-Up Exercise and withheld Salaries of Public sector workers

Submit Ghana Cards (NIA Number) to HRs for Capture onto IPPD Payroll System CAGD

CAGD Proposed Dates for Validation, Salary Payment to Public Sector Workers 2024