The General Secretaries of the four major political parties are exploring alternative ways of purging government' payroll of ghost names.

The worrying incidence of payroll corruption was one of the key issues discussed at the meeting of the Platform of General Secretaries and Policy Analysts.

Organised by the Institute of Economic Affairs under the Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP), the platform is to provide opportunities for the General Secretaries of the four major political parties- National Democratic Congress, New Patriotic Party, Peoples National Convention and the Convention People's Party to share ideas on topical political issues affecting the country.

"The IEA Ghana Political Parties Programme (GPPP) has since 2003, regularly brought together leaders of the Political Parties with representation in Parliament," a statement said.

 "Through its monthly meetings, party leaders are able to discuss policy issues of national significance in a non-partisan atmosphere. This has helped broker consensus and led to key policy reforms in Ghana. Key outcomes of this collaboration include the Presidential Transition Act (Act 845), Revised Political Parties Bill (2007) and the Public Funding of Political Parties Bill (2007). Another key outcome is the Political Parties Code of Conduct which guides the conduct of party officials before, during and after elections. Overall, the IEA-GPPP has sought to minimize the political polarization and acrimony that existed among party leaders in the country," the statement added.

In line with the programme, Johnson Asiedu Nketia of the NDC, Kwabena Agyapong of the NPP, Bernard Mornah of the PNC and Mrs. Suzan Adu Amanquah (CPP) as well other political analysts including Dr Ransford Gyampo were all concerned about the incidence of corruption in public institutions, especially the issue about payroll fraud  and believed something must be done to avert the phenomenon.

The meeting held on Wednesday also discussed other pertinent issues affecting governance in the country.

On a separate, yet similar agenda, the IEA also brought together the Caucus of Political Party Chairmen which was also attended by Mr. Paul Afoko (NPP), Alhaji Ramadan (PNC) and Ms. Samia Nkrumah (CPP). Mr. Kofi Portuphy (NDC), the newly elected Chairman of the NDC, who doubles as Chairman of the Caucus, was unable to attend the meeting.  

His absence notwithstanding, the Caucus discussed among other things how to strengthen Parliament to play its oversight role over the executive.