The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has revealed that six government officials will face prosecution for their role in a payroll fraud scheme that diverted funds through fraudulent salary payments.

The suspects, who held various positions within the Ghana Education Service (GES) and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD), face charges of corruption of a public officer and corruption by a public officer.

During a press conference on Wednesday, February 12, 2025, Special Prosecutor Kissi Agyebeng confirmed that criminal charges have been filed at the High Court in Tamale. The accused individuals are:

Yakubu Tahidu – Former teacher, Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi

Abdulai Abubakari Sadic – Integrated Personnel Payroll Database Coordinator, GES, Yendi

Sammy Suuk – Schools Improvement Support Officer, Yendi North Circuit

Mohammed Yusif Jay – Headmaster, Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi

Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres – Assistant Chief Accounts Technician, CAGD, Accra

Osman Issahaku – Headmaster, Balogu M/A Junior High School, Yendi

The investigation, which began in late 2023, was a collaborative effort between the OSP and the CAGD. A corruption risk assessment and payroll audit were carried out, initially piloted in the Northern Region, with a focus on educational institutions and the Tamale Teaching Hospital.

The investigation was focused on identifying and removing ghost names, recovering improper payments, and prosecuting those responsible for manipulating the government payroll.

The six suspects are accused of masterminding the fraudulent addition of non-existent employees to the payroll, diverting public funds through salary payments to ghost workers.

During the press conference, the Special Prosecutor emphasized that the trial would set a significant precedent in the fight against payroll fraud in Ghana’s public sector. He also assured that additional prosecutions would follow as investigations extend across the country.