The Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has confirmed that while January 2026 salaries for the majority of the national workforce have been processed, more than 2,500 government employees have been met with empty bank accounts.
In a move described as a strike for fiscal accountability, the salaries of 2,563 personnel have been temporarily suspended. This drastic action follows a direct recommendation from the Auditor General after the affected individuals failed to participate in the mandatory 2025 nationwide headcount exercise.
The “Ghost Name” Crackdown: Why Salaries Were Stopped
The nationwide headcount, conducted throughout 2025 by the Ghana Audit Service, was designed to sanitize the government payroll and eliminate “ghost names”—non-existent employees who drain millions from the state coffers.
According to the CAGD, those affected are personnel who were not verified during this critical audit. The temporary suspension of their January pay serves as a hardline enforcement of Ghana’s Public Financial Management laws, aimed at ensuring that only legitimate, active workers receive taxpayer-funded compensation.
Action Required: The Path to Reinstatement
For the 2,563 affected staff, the road to getting paid involves immediate administrative hurdles. The CAGD has advised all personnel who did not receive their January salary to:
Immediate Contact: Reach out to the Ghana Audit Service without delay.
Verification: Undergo a rigorous clearance process to prove active employment.
Clearance: Once the Audit Service provides verification, the CAGD will move to reinstate the suspended salaries.
The Department reiterated its commitment to transparency and accountability, emphasizing that these measures, while inconvenient for some, are essential for the integrity of the national payroll.
READ: CAGD 2026 salary payment dates for government workers out
Economic Context: A Global Standard for Accountability
From an international perspective, this move aligns Ghana with global standards of public financial management often championed by institutions like the IMF and World Bank. By aggressively pursuing payroll audits, Ghana is signaling to international investors and domestic taxpayers that it is serious about reducing waste and ensuring every Cedi is accounted for.