GH₵895m saved from nationwide payroll monitoring

The Government of Ghana successfully saved GH₵895 million in 2023 through a comprehensive nationwide payroll monitoring exercise and the deactivation of about 19,000 “ghost pensioners” from the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) payroll.
Out of the total amount, GH₵345 million was saved by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission (FWSC) through a payroll monitoring exercise conducted across 120 public sector institutions.
Additionally, GH₵550 million was recovered from the SSNIT payroll by deactivating non-existent pensioners.
The Minister of Employment and Labour Relations, Mr. Ignatius Baffour Awuah, disclosed this during a news briefing in Accra, where he provided updates on developments in the employment, labour relations, and pensions sectors.
He emphasized the government’s commitment to improving worker welfare while maintaining a peaceful labour environment.
Mr. Awuah highlighted the successes achieved in strengthening pension fund management, advancing job and skills development projects, and combating fraudulent employment schemes.
He commended all stakeholders in the labour sector, including Parliament, the ministries of Finance, National Security,
Education, and Health, as well as the Ghana Employers’ Association, Organized Labour, and development partners, for their ongoing cooperation with the government.
“Through our combined efforts, almost all the labour-related issues that threatened industrial peace have been amicably resolved,” the Minister stated. He reaffirmed the government’s dedication to maintaining industrial peace and harmony as they work together towards sustainable economic development.
The Minister also announced the development of the Ghana Labour Market Information System (GLMIS) database, which aims to enhance the services provided by the Labour Department to job seekers.
The GLMIS, accessible online at www.glmis.gov.gh, is designed to serve as a key interface between job seekers and employers, providing data on skills in demand, identifying training gaps, and facilitating job matching.
The GLMIS is part of the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project, funded by the World Bank, which supports skills development and job creation.
Mr. Awuah expressed optimism that the platform would reduce job mismatch, unemployment, and underemployment, while also generating timely reports to inform government policy interventions for maximum impact on the labour market.
The project will also address logistical and infrastructural challenges faced by the Labour Department, enabling it to deliver more efficient services to the public