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GNAT President Criticizes OSP’s Handling of ‘Ghost Names’ Investigation

22nd May 2024

cost laptop GNAT OUR — REV Isaac Owusu (GNAT PRESIDENT)

Ferdinand | EducationGhana | May 21 | GNAT President Criticizes OSP’s Handling of ‘Ghost Names’ Investigation

GNAT President Rev. Isaac Owusu criticizes the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s recent investigation into ‘ghost names’ on government payrolls, citing procedural concerns and lack of consultation with the Education Directorate.

GNAT President Criticizes OSP’s Handling of ‘Ghost Names’ Investigation

The President of the Ghana National Association of Teachers (GNAT), Rev. Isaac Owusu, has expressed strong criticism of the recent joint investigation by the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) and the Controller & Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) into alleged ‘ghost names’ on the government payroll.

The investigation, which focused on the Northern Region, has come under scrutiny for its procedural approach.

Concerns Over Investigation Procedure

Rev. Owusu highlighted that the investigation was conducted without the knowledge or involvement of the Education Directorate or the Ministry of Education.

Speaking to Joy FM’s Emefa Apawu, he emphasized that due process was not followed in reaching the conclusions presented in the report.

“This OSP issue was one of the cases we sent to the Labour Commission. At the Labour Commission, the chief employer, which is the Director General of the Ghana Education Service, and his sector Minister, Dr. Yaw Adutwum, were asked whether they were aware of the OSP’s activities, and they denied outright that they had any knowledge,” Rev. Owusu stated.

Findings of the OSP Report

The OSP’s May 20 press release pointed to significant findings, including the existence of a fictitious primary school in the Kumbungu District of the Ghana Education Service. The report revealed that this non-existent school was allegedly staffed, with the purported staff receiving monthly salaries.

Additionally, the investigation uncovered GH₵2.8 million in unearned salaries paid to ‘ghost names,’ which included individuals who were deceased, retired, or no longer in their positions.

“A staggering amount of GH₵2,854,144.80 was identified as unearned monthly salaries, attributed to individuals who were deceased, retired, no longer in their positions, flagged as missing, or whose whereabouts were unknown, commonly referred to as ‘ghost names’,” the OSP stated.

GNAT President’s Response

Rev. Owusu took exception to these assertions, questioning the validity of the findings given the lack of proper procedural steps. He argued that the OSP did not engage with local educational authorities to verify the existence of the entities and individuals in question.

“If OSP had taken pains to visit the directorate, after the investigations if he had asked the director of Bunkrugu that I have seen school A, do you have this in your record, he didn’t do any of it.

We are not saying he should go and seek permission but look, this blockade of salaries cuts across the country including teachers on study leave,” he added.

Implications and Future Investigations

The OSP’s report indicated significant financial savings as a result of the investigation. “By blocking these payments and removing the corresponding individuals from the Government Payroll, the Republic saved GHC34,249,737.60 for the 2024 financial year,” the report noted.

Despite these claimed savings, the GNAT President’s critique raises important questions about the investigation’s methodology and the potential impact on legitimate employees. The OSP and CAGD have announced plans to extend their investigations to other regions, prompting further scrutiny from stakeholders.

As this situation develops, the education sector in Ghana will be watching closely to ensure that due process is followed and that legitimate employees are not unfairly affected by the crackdown on payroll fraud.