At least some 16,839 names have been expunged from the payroll of the Youth Employment Agency, reports say.
The deleted names were detected as fraudulent additions after an audit of the roll by the agency.
The Audit uncovered a huge payroll fraud which has cost the country about GH¢50 million.
The amount, according to the findings of the report, is an aggregation of unearned allowances paid to unposted beneficiaries, funds for official use which were paid into personal accounts, as well as procurement without adherence to due process.
Addressing a news conference in the capital-Accra, on Wednesday June, 7, 2017, Acting Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the YEA, Justine Kodua Frimpong said the issue has been referred to the National Security apparatus for further investigations to be carried out on the matter.
Government is likely to save more than GHS20 million as a result of the deletion of the names, Mr Kodua Frimpong said.
According to him, some 2,716 beneficiaries did not have appointment letters, while 9,442 beneficiaries were above the age required. Another group of 4,681 beneficiaries, also vacated their post, while 14,443 beneficiaries were simply non-existent.
Some 11,512 beneficiaries were also without the assumption of duty letters.
Mr. Frimpong said his outfit undertook the audit following the detection of some abnormalities in the wages of beneficiaries.
“On the basis of this mind-blowing revelations, management commissioned the Internal Audit Agency to conduct a special audit into the operations of the Agency, specifically in 45 selected districts across the country and regional offices of the YEA.” .
