Ghost Salary Scam Busted: Six Convicted in GES Payroll Fraud, Over GH₵106K Recovered
Convicted officials include headmasters, payroll officers, and accountants who orchestrated ghost salary payments
- Six GES officials convicted for ghost name payroll fraud in Tamale
- Over GH₵106,000 recovered through plea bargaining with the OSP
- Wider investigations ongoing, with more suspects under scrutiny
The High Court in Tamale has convicted six individuals involved in a fraudulent payroll scheme targeting the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The operation, which involved the use of ghost names and unauthorized salary payments, led to financial losses for the State — but has now resulted in full recovery of over GH₵106,000.
The convictions were made possible through a plea bargaining agreement under the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP), ensuring restitution and reparation to the State.
The six convicts — comprising school administrators, payroll officers, and finance personnel — were found guilty of fraudulently validating and reactivating the salary of a teacher who had long abandoned his post. Their actions led to the wrongful payment of more than GH₵86,000.
Those convicted are:
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Tahidu Yakubu – Former teacher, Balogu M/A JHS, Yendi
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Abdulai Abubakar Sadic – IPPD Coordinator, Yendi Municipality
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Sammy Suuk – Schools Improvement Support Officer, Yendi North Circuit
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Mohammed Yusif Jay – Former Headmaster, Balogu JHS
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Stafford Korletey Azudey-Barres – Assistant Chief Account Technician, Controller & Accountant-General’s Dept., Accra
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Osman Issahaku – Current Headmaster, Balogu JHS
The OSP revealed that a total of GH₵106,319.64 has been retrieved in connection with the case. This trial is part of a wider anti-corruption campaign, with six additional criminal cases currently ongoing in Accra, Kumasi, and Tamale.
The OSP reiterated its commitment to rooting out payroll fraud and holding corrupt public officials accountable.
