By Alieu Ceesay
Public Service Minister Baboucarr Bouye has issued a stern warning to ghost workers, threatening legal action against those who fail to return public funds erroneously paid to them, as he addressed lawmakers during the second ordinary session of the 2025 legislative year in Banjul on Wednesday. The minister’s remarks came in response to oral questions from National Assembly Members (NAMs) regarding the ongoing issue of ghost workers in several public institutions.
Providing a detailed update, Minister Bouye identified the Ministries of Basic and Secondary Education, Health, and the Department of Livestock under the Ministry of Agriculture as the primary sectors plagued by ghost workers. A 2024 staff audit revealed that over 1,430 staff members could not be identified, raising concerns about the legitimacy of their employment and the accuracy of their salaries.
The minister disclosed that these untraceable workers were paid approximately D23.9 million through 16 financial institutions. Despite efforts by the Ministry of Public Service, in collaboration with the Accountant General’s Department, to recover three months’ worth of salaries—totaling D23,976,250—only about D2 million has been retrieved so far. “We are still pursuing some financial institutions to refund the said money to the government,” Bouye told the Assembly, responding to a question from Honourable Modou Lamin Bah, NAM for Banjul North.
To aid recovery efforts, the ministry directed several financial institutions to freeze the accounts of suspected ghost workers. However, Bouye noted a significant challenge: some individuals had already withdrawn funds before the freeze directives were issued. Additionally, certain banks have been reluctant to release the funds without either customer consent or a court order, complicating the process.
“We have written to the Solicitor General and Legal Secretary to intervene and obtain a court order to recover these funds from the financial institutions,” Bouye stated. He emphasized that legal action would target the ghost workers themselves, not the banks, if the funds are not recovered.
“In fact, we are even thinking of publishing the names of those concerned eventually to give them notice that you owe this amount, and we are giving you a period to settle it. If not, we will take legal action,” he added.
While no specific timeline for full recovery was provided, the minister assured lawmakers that the matter is being treated with urgency. The revelation of such a significant loss of public funds has sparked concern among legislators, who pressed for accountability and swift action to prevent future occurrences.
In a separate discussion, Minister Bouye responded to a question from Bakau NAM Assan Touray regarding the establishment of a Teachers Service Commission. Bouye clarified that there are no plans to create such a body. Instead, the ministry will support teachers through a dedicated committee tasked with handling appointments, welfare, and disciplinary matters, effectively fulfilling the responsibilities of a service commission.
The minister also highlighted the government’s broader efforts to create employment opportunities for qualified Gambians, emphasizing a commitment to transparent and merit-based recruitment processes. “We are working to ensure that all qualified Gambians have access to opportunities within the public service,” he said.
The ghost worker scandal has raised questions about oversight within public institutions, with lawmakers urging stronger measures to prevent such financial leakages. Minister Bouye’s pledge to pursue legal action signals a tough stance on recovering misappropriated funds, but the success of these efforts will depend on cooperation from financial institutions and the judicial system.
As the government continues its recovery efforts, the public awaits further developments in this high-profile case of public sector mismanagement.
