The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) has strongly denied allegations circulating on social media that a senior civil servant at the Ministry of Defence received unearned salaries totalling GH¢427 million over a 29-month period.
The claims, which drew public attention after a report by The Fourth Estate, suggested that the official earned an average of more than GH¢14 million monthly between January 2023 and June 2025, based on findings linked to an Auditor-General’s report.
In a statement issued on April 20, 2026, the CAGD dismissed the allegations as inaccurate and defended the integrity of Ghana’s payroll system.
According to the Department, the government payroll operates on strict controls and automated processes that only allow payments based on approved structures set by the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission.
“The Government of Ghana payroll system runs on controls and automations which allow only approved pay structures… to be processed for employees eligible by their conditions of service,” the statement said.
The CAGD explained that salary payments undergo several levels of verification before being processed. These include approvals by heads of institutions, online validation systems, and internal checks designed to detect irregularities.
“Monthly salaries are paid to eligible employees… after online validation. These payments are further subjected to internal quality processes to validate each salary payment,” the Department noted.
It added that additional safeguards such as variance analysis, verification of conditions of service, and reconciliation with banking institutions are embedded within the system to ensure accuracy.
The Department stressed that under the current payroll framework, it is “impossible” for a government employee to receive salary payments in excess of what is legally due.
It also urged the public and media organisations to verify claims before publication, particularly on sensitive financial matters involving public funds.
The response comes amid heightened scrutiny of public sector financial management, with institutions increasingly called upon to demonstrate transparency and accountability in their operations.
 has strongly denied allegations circulating on social media that a senior civil servant at the Ministry of Defence received unearned salaries totalling GH¢427 million over a 29-month period.){kind=link}