SSNIT GHOST WORKER SCANDAL REVEALS FAILURES IN PUBLIC SECTOR MANAGEMENT

By Innocent Samuel Appiah

A recent investigation has brought to light alarming systemic failures within the public sector, as exposed by an attendance scandal at the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT).

The scandal points to severe shortcomings in oversight mechanisms, showing how taxpayer money can be exploited due to institutional weaknesses.

Documents obtained through the Right to Information Act have unveiled the case of SSNIT employee, Ms. Gloria Nkrumah, who maintained her position despite attending work for a mere 203 days over a four-year period – a meager 15% attendance rate.

This revelation has shed light on critical gaps in accountability measures within the institution. Public sector management expert, Prof. Adelaide Mensah-Williams, has described the situation as a “textbook example of systemic failures working in harmony.”

According to her, the issue goes beyond individual misconduct, revealing a complete breakdown of multiple control systems within SSNIT.

The breakdown in control systems is evident at various levels – from the failure of the electronic attendance monitoring system to trigger alerts on irregularities, to the ineffective supervisory oversight that allowed prolonged absences to go unchecked, and the failure of the payroll system to halt salary payments despite blatant attendance discrepancies.

Sources suggest that personal connections, including alleged ties to high-ranking officials, may have enabled the circumvention of standard procedures in Ms.

Nkrumah’s case, pointing to a serious flaw in SSNIT’s checks and balances system. Responding to the scandal, Dr. Kwame Owusu-Addo, a public policy analyst, emphasized that the issue extends beyond one employee’s absence, highlighting how personal relationships can supersede established protocols in public institutions, undermining governance foundations.

The delayed response to the attendance irregularities, alongside procedural gaps in medical leave validation, has raised concerns about institutional responsiveness and efficiency.

Calls for comprehensive reforms, including automated attendance monitoring, independent oversight committees, and regular external audits, have been issued by various stakeholders.

The Ministry of Public Sector Reform has pledged to conduct a thorough audit of attendance management systems across all public institutions, recognizing the need for national-level intervention to address systemic issues.

As SSNIT takes disciplinary action against Ms. Nkrumah, the focus now shifts to rectifying the institutional vulnerabilities that allowed the situation to persist.

Ghana’s public sector faces a critical juncture, calling for the implementation of modern, independent systems to uphold accountability and transparency in the delivery of public services.