Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has reiterated government's dedication to resolving the persistent issue of "ghost names" on the public payroll.

These fraudulent entries, which have siphoned off public funds for years, continue to be a focus of reform in the effort to improve financial management and restore public trust.

Dr Bawumia highlighted that the government has been systematically addressing the problem by continuously scrutinizing the payroll database to ensure its integrity.

He emphasised that only legitimate and authorised employees should benefit from government payments, and the process of removing "ghost names" is ongoing to safeguard public resources.

Speaking during a tour of Bawjiase in the Awutu Senya West Constituency, Dr Bawumia underscored the importance of maintaining a clean payroll system as part of the government’s broader anti-corruption agenda.

He noted that the elimination of fraudulent names not only saves the country money but also strengthens the efficiency of government operations.

Dr Bawumia assured the public that the government remains committed to tackling all forms of corruption, including the widespread issue of "ghost names."

This, he believes, is a critical step toward ensuring accountability and transparency in Ghana’s public financial systems.

“Through the Ghana Card, we have made significant strides in eliminating ghost names from government payrolls. Our first operation targeted the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT), where we identified and removed 29,000 ghost names, saving GH¢400 million."

“Similarly, the National Service Scheme saw 44,000 ghost personnel removed, resulting in savings of over GH¢300 million. The Controller and Accountant General has since removed all ghost names from the government payroll."

“Today, we can confidently assert that the Ghana Card has helped eradicate ghost names from our government’s payroll," he stated.