Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has issued a strong caution to all government employees.

In a proactive move to ensure precise record-keeping and eliminate ghost workers from the payroll system, the Controller and Accountant General’s Department (CAGD) has issued a strong caution to all government employees.

The government has declared that, commencing February 2024, individuals on its payroll who do not furnish their National Identity Authority (NIA) numbers will face salary withholding.

Following extensive discussions with relevant stakeholders, a registration timeframe has been established, leading to this decision.

All eligible Ghanaians, including those working in the government’s public sector and aged 15 or above, can now register at any of the NIA’s offices nationwide.

The registration process, scheduled from September 4, 2023, to January, has been outlined.

Deputy Controller and Accountant General, Wisdom Komlan Messan, urged employees to utilize the ongoing universal registration at all 24 NIA offices in a statement. These individuals will be given priority at the registration centers. The directive aims to ensure that all government employees obtain their NIA cards within the specified timeframe.

It’s noteworthy that the Controller and Accountant General has previously issued similar directives. This marks the second instance in the last two years that the department has taken such measures to enhance the accuracy and integrity of the payroll system.

Implementing this directive is crucial to addressing the challenge of ghost workers and maintaining accurate records of all government employees.


According to the CAGD, associating NIA numbers with salary disbursements can prevent potential fraudulent activities and ensure that only qualified employees receive payments.

Government employees are strongly encouraged to promptly register for their NIA cards ahead of the deadline.