OSP uncovers deep-rooted corruption in Ghana Education Service
The Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) has exposed a troubling web of corruption deeply rooted in the Ghana Education Service (GES), involving ghost schools, fake appointment letters, and fraudulent salary payments to nonexistent workers.
These revelations were made public during the West Africa Regional Anti-Corruption Policy Dialogue held in Accra on Monday, June 2, 2025. Addressing the gathering, Special Prosecutor Mr. Kissi Agyebeng described the situation as a serious threat to the credibility of Ghana’s public sector.
“In the education sector, we’re discovering disturbing schemes where individuals are drawing salaries for schools that exist only on paper,” Mr. Agyebeng revealed. He added that forged appointment letters, some carrying the signature of the GES Director-General, were being used to secure postings in exchange for money.
He spoke in the presence of key public service figures, including GES Director-General Professor Ernest Kofi Davis and Ghana Health Service Director-General Professor Samuel Kaba. His remarks painted a picture of widespread rot undermining the trust and efficiency of government institutions.
Forged Signatures and Fake Schools
Mr. Agyebeng warned that even high-ranking officials could unknowingly become victims of the corruption. “If this hasn’t happened to you yet, it may soon,” he said, referring to fake appointment letters bearing the GES Director-General’s signature.
The OSP also discovered what Mr. Agyebeng called “health teachers” — individuals listed in the education system who, in collaboration with personnel in healthcare, were validating fake names on payrolls for salary payments.
Convictions and Losses
Some of these corrupt practices have already led to legal consequences. In Tamale, six people were convicted after pleading guilty to charges connected to payroll fraud. The state recovered GH₵106,000 from that case.
But Mr. Agyebeng pointed out that these recovered amounts were only a small part of a much bigger issue. “The bigger issue is how corruption is saturating our systems, leaving the entire country vulnerable to abuse from within,” he said.
Origins of the Scandal
This scandal stems from a joint investigation between the OSP and the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD). Their findings uncovered that GH₵2.85 million had been wrongfully paid to ghost workers — people who were dead, retired, missing, or never even employed.
One shocking example was a fictitious school in the Kumbungu District. The school didn’t exist, but it had a full list of staff members who were receiving salaries every month. None of the names or the school itself appeared in any official GES registry.
This prompted a major cleanup of the public payroll. As a result, the state reportedly saved GH₵34.2 million in the 2024 financial year alone.
Call for Reform
These shocking findings have led to growing calls for reform. Civil society leaders and anti-corruption advocates are demanding a complete overhaul of public payroll systems. Suggestions include the introduction of biometric verification, digital validation systems, and stronger cooperation between government agencies.
A civil society leader present at the event stressed, “This is a national emergency. We cannot allow public payroll to become a feeding ground for fraudsters.”
The OSP has promised to continue its investigations and ensure that all those found guilty face the full force of the law. Mr. Agyebeng urged public servants to cooperate and help root out corruption from within the system.
In his closing remarks, the Special Prosecutor said, “It is time to stop pretending. Corruption is no longer hidden — it’s operational, systemic, and costing the nation dearly. We must confront it head-on.”