According to the GPAA Minister for Information, Jacob Werchum, the move follows a resolution passed during a cabinet meeting of state ministers last week. The initiative seeks to confirm the authenticity of names listed on the payroll and eliminate “ghost workers” who have long drained public resources.
The exercise will involve cross-checking employment records, attendance registers, and personnel files across various government ministries in GPAA. Authorities aim to ensure that only active and legitimate civil servants receive salaries.
Werchum said the screening process will run for two weeks, after which the cabinet will review and deliberate on the findings.
“The formation of the committee has been completed, and the verification process will start tomorrow [Tuesday]. There are a few things to finalise today [Monday], but by 9 a.m. tomorrow, the work will begin,” Werchum stated.
He clarified that the exercise will target individuals with multiple entries on the payroll, as well as those listed despite not actively working.
“If names are found on the payroll without the people actually working, those will be considered ghost names, and the cabinet will address them in its next meeting,” he said.
Werchum also raised concerns about nepotism in government hiring.
“There are cases where a minister or director places all their family members on the ministry payroll and then transfers them to other ministries. Those are the people who will be affected,” he added.
The decision comes amid growing concerns over payroll irregularities in GPAA and other parts of the country. The administration has urged all government employees to cooperate fully with the verification team and warned that any fraudulent entries discovered will be removed immediately.
The screening will begin on Tuesday, with final results expected to be made public within two weeks of completion.
