Majority Leader Mahama Ayariga has sounded the alarm over massive payroll irregularities in the public sector, revealing that a recent audit uncovered GH¢150 million in unearned salaries due to ghost names and systemic failures.
Addressing Parliament on Thursday during the conclusion of the debate on the 2025 Mid-Year Budget Review, Ayariga disclosed that 53,311 separated public servants, individuals who have exited government service, continue to receive salaries, while an additional 14,000 workers remain unverified.
“This highlights the level of corruption that has pervaded our public sector. We cannot verify 14,000 workers, and 53,311 separated staff are still earning salaries,” Ayariga told lawmakers.
“In all, GH¢150 million in unearned salaries has been identified — a colossal loss to the state.”
Ayariga credited the Finance Minister for initiating a nationwide payroll audit to sanitize the system, describing it as part of broader reforms aimed at enhancing fiscal discipline.
“The Minister is falling on the sword of reform. This payroll audit is just the beginning. We are determined to plug every leak,” he stressed.
The Majority Leader pushed back against claims from the Minority that the government was under-spending, insisting that the Mahama administration is prioritizing value over volume.
“What is the value to the state when you spend GH¢280 million to build a Bank of Ghana headquarters that could have cost GH¢81 million?” he asked.
“What is the value of spending hundreds of millions digging a hole for a cathedral that never emerged?”
Ayariga argued that the current administration’s focus is on smart, strategic, and impactful investments, rather than politically motivated projects.
Highlighting macroeconomic progress, Ayariga touted significant achievements in reducing inflation, stabilizing the cedi, and shrinking the fiscal deficit.
“Our fiscal deficit has shrunk from 10.7% in 2022 to 1.1% in 2025. Inflation has dropped, interest rates are down, and the cedi has strengthened. These are results of painful but necessary discipline,” he said.
He also noted a drop in the debt-to-GDP ratio from 61.8% in December 2024 to 55%, and an increase in gross international reserves to $11.12 billion, enough to cover nearly five months of imports.
In response to the Minority’s concerns over job creation, Ayariga maintained that economic stability is driving private-sector recovery, with banks now more willing to lend due to reduced government borrowing.
“There is a lot of liquidity in the banks. Government has stopped crowding out the private sector. MPs are even being chased with loan offers!” he quipped.
He insisted that the “real jobs” are now being created in the private sector as a result of better interest rates, lower inflation, and exchange rate stability.
Ayariga revealed that capital expenditure in the 2025 budget stands at GH¢32.9 billion, up from GH¢28.7 billion in 2024. He added that allocations to key social interventions such as free SHS, LEAP, and capitation grants have all seen increases.
“For the first time, we are also supporting 60 private senior high schools. So we’re expanding inclusiveness even in social investment,” he said.
Ayariga backed the Finance Minister’s concerns about revenue losses due to smuggling and called on the security services to intensify enforcement at Ghana’s borders.
“There is excessive smuggling, and that must be stopped if we are to improve domestic revenue,” he said.
The Majority leader dismissed the opposition’s repeated use of global crises like the Russia-Ukraine war as scapegoats.
“Russia is still firing missiles into Ukraine, but our economy is improving. The cedi is stronger, prices are falling, and fuel costs are down. So what’s their excuse now?”
He reiterated the government’s commitment to strategic spending, macroeconomic stability, and fighting waste and corruption in public administration.
“We will spend — but we will spend wisely. Not on cathedrals or inflated contracts. We are building a future that is fiscally sound and socially just.”
