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Home Ghana News January salaries withheld for two,563 public approach employees after headcount – Life Pulse Daily

Ghana News

January salaries withheld for two,563 public approach employees after headcount – Life Pulse Daily

Editor-in-chiefJanuary 30, 20262 Mins read21

January salaries withheld for two,563 public approach employees after headcount – Life Pulse Daily

January Salaries Withheld for 2,563 Public Sector Employees After Headcount

Introduction

In a significant move to enhance transparency and accountability within Ghana’s public sector, the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has suspended the January 2026 salaries of 2,563 executive workers. This decision follows their failure to participate in a compulsory national headcount exercise conducted across Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) in 2025. The action underscores the government’s commitment to cleaning up the payroll and ensuring that only verified employees receive public funds.

Key Points

**Salary Suspension**: The CAGD has withheld January 2026 salaries for 2,563 public sector employees.
**Reason**: Non-participation in a compulsory national headcount exercise conducted in 2025.
**Objective**: To ensure transparency and accountability in public sector payroll management.
**Next Steps**: Affected employees must contact the Ghana Audit Service to verify their employment status and complete clearance procedures.

Background

The national headcount exercise was designed to verify the employment status of all public sector workers and eliminate ghost workers from the government payroll. Conducted across all MDAs in 2025, the exercise aimed to ensure that only legitimate employees receive salaries. Despite the majority of staff participating, a significant number failed to comply, leading to the suspension of their January 2026 salaries.

Analysis

The decision to withhold salaries is a bold step by the CAGD to enforce compliance with government directives. By leveraging the recommendation of the Auditor-General, the department has demonstrated its commitment to maintaining a clean and transparent payroll system. This move is likely to deter future non-compliance and encourage all public sector employees to adhere to verification exercises.

However, the suspension of salaries may have immediate financial implications for the affected employees and their families. It is crucial for the CAGD to communicate clearly and provide support to those impacted, ensuring they understand the steps required to reinstate their salaries.

Practical Advice

For the 2,563 affected employees, the following steps are recommended:

1. **Contact the Ghana Audit Service**: Immediately reach out to the Ghana Audit Service to verify your employment status.
2. **Complete Clearance Procedures**: Ensure all necessary documentation and clearance procedures are completed as per the CAGD’s requirements.
3. **Stay Informed**: Keep abreast of any updates or additional instructions from the CAGD or the Ghana Audit Service.

FAQ

**Q: Why were the salaries withheld?**
A: The salaries were withheld because the affected employees did not participate in the compulsory national headcount exercise conducted in 2025.

**Q: How can affected employees have their salaries reinstated?**
A: Affected employees must contact the Ghana Audit Service to verify their employment status and complete the required clearance procedures.

**Q: What is the purpose of the headcount exercise?**
A: The headcount exercise aims to ensure transparency and accountability in the public sector payroll by verifying the employment status of all workers and eliminating ghost workers.

**Q: Will this affect other public sector employees?**
A: No, only those who failed to participate in the headcount exercise have had their salaries withheld.

Conclusion

The suspension of salaries for 2,563 public sector employees is a significant step towards ensuring transparency and accountability in Ghana’s public sector. By enforcing compliance with the national headcount exercise, the CAGD is taking a proactive approach to clean up the payroll and prevent the payment of salaries to unverified employees. While this decision may have immediate financial implications for the affected individuals, it underscores the government’s commitment to responsible public financial management.