Payroll Scandal: Auditor-General Flags Over GHS427 Million in Unearned Salaries
By Seekers Consult 247 | April 2026
Follow us on WhatsApp for more updates: CLICK HERE
A shocking revelation from the Auditor-General of Ghana has uncovered a major payroll irregularity involving a senior civil servant who allegedly received over GHS427 million in unearned salaries over a 29-month period.
Key Highlights of the Audit Findings
- Over 6,000 government employees received a combined GHS800+ million in unearned salaries
- One individual alone accounted for more than half of the total amount
- Payments occurred between January 2023 and June 2025
- The audit aimed to assess whether only legitimate employees were paid
The Central Figure: Frank Oliver Kpodo
At the center of the controversy is Frank Oliver Kpodo, who served as Director of Procurement at the Ministry of Defence Ghana during the period under review.
According to the report:
- He allegedly received over GHS427 million in salaries
- This averages more than GHS14 million per month
- The amount exceeds the GHS151 million budget of the Ministry of Transport Ghana
- A System Under Serious Strain
-
Follow us on WhatsApp for more updates: CLICK HERE
Seekers Consult
- ERRANDS SERVICE – WE CAN HELP YOU SUBMIT YOUR BUSINESS CERTIFICATE REGISTRATION APPLICATION
LOAN FOR GOVERNMENT WORKERS ; RATE AT 14.5% – CALL SEEKERS 0550414552
We assist in Payoff too.
-
Contact Us for Your Study Abroad Journey
We search for schools and check available scholarships for you
Contact: 0550414552 / 0362297079
The findings point to what appears to be a deeply flawed payroll system, with significant leakages allowing payments to individuals who reportedly did little to no work.
The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department, responsible for processing government payroll, has been urged to take immediate corrective action.
Procurement Red Flags and Parliamentary Scrutiny
The issue extends beyond payroll irregularities. Frank Oliver Kpodo also came under scrutiny during a hearing by the Public Accounts Committee of Parliament Ghana.
This followed concerns over a GHS4.8 million contract for six SUVs intended for:
- Border surveillance
- Election monitoring
Although documentation confirmed delivery, investigations revealed that the vehicles were never supplied, raising serious concerns about falsified procurement records.
The committee recommended:
- His interdiction from his current role at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources Ghana
- Prosecution for alleged misconduct
Auditor-General’s Recommendations
In the 2025 Payroll Audit Report, the Auditor-General of Ghana issued strong directives:
- Immediate removal of affected individuals from the payroll
- Recovery of GHS801,808,427.04 in unearned salaries
- Sanctions for Principal Spending Officers and validators who fail to comply
“Principal Spending Officers should discontinue the validation of these individuals and recover the total amount… failing which they should be held liable.”
Principal Spending Officers in ministries are typically Chief Directors, who bear ultimate responsibility for financial oversight.
Who Was in Charge?
Investigations by The Fourth Estate Ghana revealed that Dr Evans Agbeme Dzikum served as Chief Director at the Ministry of Defence during the period in question.
Experts Raise Serious Concerns
Financial analyst Nana Kwaku Amankwah Appiah questioned how such large payments could go undetected:
“For such payments to go on like that… I suspect there might be others benefiting… It might not be only the individual.”
Procurement expert Kobina Ata-Bedu emphasized that Ghana’s challenge is not lack of laws, but lack of enforcement:
“Until we start punishing people… nothing will change.”
Systemic Failure and “Gatekeepers” Blamed
Development economist Professor Peter Quartey of the Institute for Statistical Social and Economic Research described payroll fraud as a longstanding systemic issue.
“The gatekeepers are culpable… If we don’t enforce the laws… the scandals will continue.”
He further questioned why such fraud persists and suggested Ghana may need to adopt more robust payroll systems used in other countries.
Concerns Over Continued Public Office
Despite recommendations for interdiction, concerns remain about why Frank Oliver Kpodo is reportedly still holding a position at the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources.
“We are a developing country… we should not allow a few people to drain national resources while citizens struggle,” Prof. Quartey added.
Response from the Accused
When contacted by The Fourth Estate Ghana, Frank Oliver Kpodo described the findings as:
“Worrying and surprising… I cannot imagine how that can happen.”
He stated that:
- His salaries were processed through the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department
- Payslips exist and can be verified
- Salary validation is handled by the HR unit and Chief Director’s office
He also indicated that no official communication had been made to him by the Audit Service.
This case highlights a critical breakdown in Ghana’s public financial management systems, raising urgent questions about accountability, internal controls, and enforcement.
As investigations continue, Ghanaians will be watching closely to see whether this case leads to:
- Real accountability
- Recovery of funds
- Structural reforms in payroll management
Without decisive action, experts warn that such financial leakages could continue to undermine national development.
SOURCE; The fourth Estate
About The Author
