Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has called on tertiary education unions to support the ongoing national payroll audit aimed at eliminating ghost names and ensuring integrity in public sector compensation.
Speaking during 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 highlighted the urgent need to clean the payroll. He noted that preliminary findings from the Auditor-General’s audit reveal the existence of numerous ghost names, which, if addressed, could result in significant savings for the country.
He urged the unions to lend their full support to the exercise, emphasising that payroll reform is not only about fiscal responsibility but also about fairness and transparency in the management of public resources.
In the same meeting, Dr. Forson assured the unions that their Book and Research Allowances have been fully captured in the 2025 Budget. He added that processes for disbursement have already been initiated in collaboration with the Ministry of Education to ensure timely payment.
The unions also proposed the establishment of a Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance to strengthen engagement with organised labour. The Minister welcomed the proposal as a positive step toward improved coordination and responsiveness.