The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has issued a final warning to public sector employees to verify their Ghana Card details by 15th March 2026 or face a total suspension of salary payments.

The directive, contained in a high-priority memo dated 11th February 2026, follows the rollout of a sophisticated new e-Payslip platform that has triggered red flags across the government’s mechanised payroll.

The move is part of a broader reform of the country's public financial management system, aimed at permanently eradicating "ghost names" and ensuring that every cedi of the taxpayer's money reaches a verified, living worker.

The crisis was sparked by the integration of the National Identification Authority (NIA) database with the national payroll.

Upon the deployment of the upgraded e-Payslip system, the CAGD identified "critical data discrepancies" where the NIA numbers provided by employees did not match the official biometric records held by the state.

According to the Department, these inconsistencies suggest that some entries on the payroll may not be linked to legitimate biometric identities.

“Following the rollout of the platform, the department identified critical data discrepancies which prevent some employees from accessing their pay slips on the platform. These discrepancies are due to the National Identification Authority (NIA) numbers, which were captured on the payroll system but do not correspond with the employee's NIA records,” the CAGD statement explained.

The ultimatum has sent ripples through several of Ghana’s largest employer organisations.

The CAGD has instructed the Human Resource Departments of all "Covered Entities" to begin an immediate reconciliation exercise.

The directive specifically targets personnel within:

• Ghana Education Service (GES): The largest workforce on the payroll.
• Ghana Health Service (GHS): All medical and administrative staff.
• Security Services: Including the Ghana Prisons, Immigration, and National Fire Services.
• Judicial and Audit Services: Ensuring transparency within the legal and oversight bodies.
• Electoral Commission: Validating all permanent staff identities.

The 2026 payroll purge is the latest chapter in a long-standing battle against financial leakage. Recent audits have already seen significant action:

• January 2026: The CAGD suspended the salaries of 2,563 workers who failed to appear for a nationwide headcount.
• Audit Savings: In late 2025, the National Service Authority (NSA) successfully removed over 8,000 ghost names, preventing a projected annual loss of GH¢68 million.
• System Integrity: Vice President Bawumia has previously noted that "ghosts don’t have fingerprints," highlighting the Ghana Card as the ultimate tool for financial accountability.

How to verify: A step-by-step guide for employees

Affected workers must act before the mid-March deadline to avoid being flagged for suspension. The CAGD has released a protocol for rectification:

1. Access the Platform: Visit gogepayservices.com and attempt to log in using your NIA number.
2. Identify Discrepancies: If the system denies access, your data is likely non-compliant.
3. Submit Documentation: Provide a clear photocopy of your Ghana Card, your employee number, and a formal application for data correction to your local HR department.
4. Institutional Submission: HR heads are required to forward these verified files to the CAGD for system updates.

Failure to complete this process will lead to an automatic freeze on the mechanised payroll system, with no recourse for payment until the biometric link is established.