OSP recovers GHc106k from GES payroll scandal; six officials convicted
The High Court in Tamale has convicted six individuals for their roles in a payroll corruption scheme involving ghost names and fraudulent salary payments within the Ghana Education Service (GES).
The convictions were secured through the Office of the Special Prosecutor’s (OSP) plea bargaining framework, which resulted in the full recovery and repayment of stolen funds to the State.
According to an OSP report dated May 15, the convicted individuals, comprising school administrators, payroll officers, and accountants, were found to have illegally validated and reactivated the salary of a teacher who had vacated their post.
Their actions led to the wrongful payment of over GH¢86,000. However, the entire amount has been retrieved, bringing the total recovered in the case to GH¢106,319.64.
The OSP noted that this case forms part of a wider investigation, with additional suspects currently being pursued.
The office also disclosed that six more criminal trials are ongoing in Accra, Tamale, and Kumasi, as it steps up efforts to prosecute individuals implicated in corruption and protect public funds.
Below is the full statement