CAGD Suspends Salaries of 2,563 Public Servants Over Failure to Participate in Headcount Exercise

Frank Ocansey

Editor, PulseView

CAGD Suspends Salaries: The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has announced the suspension of salaries for 2,563 public servants after they failed to take part in a nationwide headcount exercise conducted in 2025.

In a press release dated January 30, 2026, the CAGD confirmed that salaries for all eligible Government of Ghana employees on the national payroll have been successfully paid for January 2026. However, payments to the affected individuals were withheld following a recommendation by the Auditor-General.

According to the statement, the headcount exercise was carried out by the Ghana Audit Service across various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) as part of efforts to validate government payroll data and eliminate irregularities such as ghost names and unverified staff.

The CAGD explained that the suspension targets personnel who failed to present themselves for verification during the exercise, making it impossible to confirm their employment status.

“Personnel who did not receive their salaries for January are urged to contact the Ghana Audit Service promptly for the necessary clearance,” the statement noted.

The department further emphasised that affected workers must undergo the required verification process to confirm their legitimacy on the payroll before their salaries can be reinstated.

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Ensuring Payroll Integrity and Public Financial Accountability

The headcount exercise forms part of broader government reforms aimed at strengthening public financial management, improving payroll integrity, and ensuring that public funds are used efficiently and transparently.

The CAGD reiterated that the suspension is not a punitive measure, but rather an administrative step to safeguard the credibility of the national payroll system.

“It is essential that those affected ensure their employment status is verified to guarantee reinstatement of their salaries,” the statement added.

Commitment to Transparency and Timely Salary Payments

The department also assured the general public of its continued commitment to transparency, accountability, and compliance with established Public Financial Management laws. It reaffirmed its responsibility to ensure that salaries are paid only to duly verified and legitimate public sector employees.

The CAGD encouraged all public servants to cooperate fully with future verification and audit exercises, noting that such processes are critical to maintaining confidence in Ghana’s public sector payroll and preventing financial leakages.