The Controller and Accountant General today January 10, 2024, stands firm on its decision to suspend salary payments for over 700,000 public employees by March 1, 2024, if they fail to register with the Ghana card.
This directive according to Kwaning Bosompem is a proactive measure to cleanse the public sector payroll of any irregularities, specifically targeting ghost names.
The primary objective of the move is to enhance transparency and efficiency in salary disbursements, ultimately contributing to government efforts to save revenue.
Kwaning Bosompem emphasizes the importance of the Ghana card registration as a crucial step in streamlining the payroll system. By enforcing this requirement, the Controller and Accountant General aims to verify the authenticity of employees and eliminate any discrepancies or fraudulent entries.
This initiative aligns with broader governmental goals to enhance financial accountability and ensure that public funds are allocated accurately and responsibly.
While the suspension of salary payments may present challenges for affected employees, the overarching aim is to create a more robust and reliable payroll system. The government anticipates that this measure will not only address issues related to ghost names but also pave the way for improved financial management within the public sector, fostering a more accountable and sustainable fiscal environment.
It could be recalled that last year, 2023, CAGD updated on “No Ghana Card, No Salary” directive for GoG employees.
That passed directive was signed by Mr. Wisdom Komlan Messan the Deputy Controller & Acct-General for Controller & Accountant-General to inform all Government of Ghana (GoG) employees on the payroll who have not yet registered for the Ghana Card.
The said update read
RE: REQUEST FOR CONSENT AND AGREEMENT ON TIMELINES SET TO REGISTER GOVERNMENT OF GHANA EMPLOYEES ON THE PAYROLL WHO HAVE NOT YET REGISTERED FOR THE GHANA CARD
Subsequent to our meeting held in CAGD Block D conference room on 11th October, 2023 where we discussed timelines for a special registration exercise for GoG workers without Ghana Card (NLA) numbers where it was agreed that, CAGD communicates with NIA proposing these agreed timelines between CAGD on one hand, and the Institutions and Unions on the other hand, for a special registration for GoG workers without NIA numbers and seeking their agreement on the timelines set for the registration exercise.
CAGD immediately acted on this agreement and therefore wrote to NIA on 11th October, 2023 requesting for consent and agreement on the proposed timelines for the registration exercise and their readiness to conduct the registration exercise within the proposed period.
National Identification Authority responded to our request stating that they had earlier communicated to CAGD and the general public in advance, via a press release and series of media interviews and postings indicating their inability to have the special registration exercise.
They however stated that they had since the 4th of September opened offices nationwide for the registration of qualified Ghanaians aged 15 years and above, including the targeted public sector employees on the GoG payroll (letter attached).
Based on the above, we, therefore request that you advise your staff and members to take advantage of the ongoing general registration at all the 292 NIofficeses to register for their NIA cards (Ghana Card) since priority attention will be given to GoG employees at these centres.
We would also like to bring to your attention that with effect from February 2024, payment of salaries would not be made to government employees on the centralized GoG payroll who do not have NIA numbers. All those yet to register are therefore advised to take advantage of the December – January period to get registered for their NIA numbers.
Yaovi AGBEGNIGAN
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