Support ongoing payroll audit to protect public funds – Finance Minister urges Teacher Unions
Accra, Ghana – June 11, 2025
Minister for Finance, Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, has appealed to Ghana’s tertiary education unions to support the government’s ongoing national payroll audit, which is part of efforts to eliminate ghost names and strengthen transparency in public sector compensation.
During a meeting with leaders of the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and the Colleges of Education Teachers Association of Ghana (CETAG), Dr. Forson stressed the urgent need to cleanse the payroll system, citing early findings from the Auditor-General’s audit that revealed the presence of numerous ghost workers.
“Payroll reform is not only about fiscal responsibility,” Dr. Forson said. “It is also about fairness and transparency in managing public resources.”
He added that tackling ghost names could lead to significant national savings and urged the unions to throw their weight behind the audit exercise as part of building a more accountable and efficient public sector.
Research Allowances Assured
In a bid to ease rising tensions over delayed entitlements, the Finance Minister also assured the unions that their Book and Research Allowances have been fully captured in the 2025 Budget, and that disbursement processes have commenced in coordination with the Ministry of Education to ensure timely payment.
This comes amid growing agitation from the unions, who had earlier issued a joint statement warning of strike action if payments were not initiated by June 13, 2025.
Proposal for Labour Desk Welcomed
As part of efforts to improve government-labour relations, the unions proposed the creation of a dedicated Labour Relations Desk within the Ministry of Finance. The desk would serve as a direct interface between the Ministry and organised labour to enhance engagement and address issues proactively.
Dr. Forson welcomed the idea, describing it as a positive move toward strengthening dialogue and coordination between stakeholders in the public service.
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