Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has urged tertiary education unions to support a national payroll audit designed to eliminate ghost names and ensure integrity in public sector compensation.
In a meeting with the leadership of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), the Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), Dr. Forson emphasized the need to clean up the payroll system. He pointed out that preliminary findings from an Auditor-General’s audit have identified numerous ghost names, which could lead to significant savings if addressed.
Dr. Forson called on the unions to fully support this initiative, highlighting that payroll reform is crucial not only for fiscal responsibility but also for fairness and transparency in managing public resources.
During the same meeting, Dr. Forson assured union leaders that their Book and Research Allowances are included in the 2025 Budget, with disbursement processes already underway in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to ensure timely payments.
Additionally, the unions proposed creating a Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance to enhance engagement with organized labor. The Minister saw this proposal as a positive move toward better coordination and responsiveness.