Getting What You’re Owed: How to Resolve CAGD Salary Arrears in Ghana

For thousands of public sector workers in Ghana, the arrival of salary at the end of each month is more than a routine transaction—it is the lifeline that feeds families, pays school fees, and settles debts. Yet every year, a significant number of teachers, nurses, civil servants, and other government employees find themselves staring at bank accounts that remain empty while colleagues receive their pay.

Salary arrears—payments owed for work already performed—can accumulate for months, leaving workers frustrated, financially strained, and uncertain about when relief will come. The Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) sits at the center of these delays, but as Accra Street Journal has consistently documented, the causes of arrears are rarely simple and the solutions require a systematic approach .

This ASJ guide provides a comprehensive roadmap for resolving CAGD salary arrears in Ghana. Drawing on official procedures, recent verification exercises, and practical experience, you will learn exactly what steps to take, who to contact, and how to protect yourself from scams while navigating the system.

Understanding Why Salary Arrears Occur

Before resolving arrears, it is essential to understand why they happen. CAGD does not arbitrarily withhold salaries. Most arrears cases stem from specific, identifiable causes .

Common Causes of Salary Arrears

Understanding which category applies to your situation is the first step toward resolution.

The 2025-2026 Verification Context: Why Thousands Were Affected

The past year has seen unprecedented payroll clean-up exercises that have directly impacted salary payments for thousands of public sector workers. These exercises, while necessary for fiscal discipline, have created significant arrears for those caught in the verification net.

The Nationwide Headcount Exercise

Following the 2025 Nationwide Payroll Headcount Exercise conducted by the Ghana Audit Service, CAGD took decisive action to clean the payroll. In July 2025, the Department suspended the salaries of 5,673 employees pending further investigations and removed 47,638 individuals entirely from the government payroll after they were found to have separated from service .

For those still in service but affected, CAGD advised that affected employees obtain a confirmation letter from their institution addressed to the Auditor-General, with a copy to the Ministry of Finance, to ensure the issue was corrected .

The January 2026 Suspensions

In January 2026, CAGD announced the temporary suspension of salaries for 2,563 government employees who failed to participate in the headcount exercise . The Department’s statement was clear:

Affected staff who did not receive their January salary are kindly advised to contact the Ghana Audit Service immediately to complete the necessary clearance and verification process to enable the reinstatement of their salaries.

This directive is critical: for headcount-related arrears, the first stop is the Ghana Audit Service, not CAGD.

NIA Number Mismatches

In October 2025, CAGD halted salaries for employees with mismatched National Identification Authority (NIA) numbers following a routine payroll audit . The audit revealed numerous records with inconsistent NIA data, prompting the Department to suspend payments until discrepancies were resolved.

For these cases, the resolution path required HR managers to submit corrected information electronically to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] .

The February 2026 Assurance

By February 2026, Controller and Accountant-General Kwasi Agyei assured affected workers that their pay would be restored once they completed employment verification with the Ghana Audit Service . He explained that while the Auditor-General’s initial report indicated about 6,000 officers had not participated in the headcount, internal analysis showed only about 2,000 were actually affected .

The message was consistent: verification with the Ghana Audit Service is the key to unlocking suspended salaries.

Step-by-Step Process to Resolve Salary Arrears

Based on official procedures and documented cases, here is the systematic approach to resolving CAGD salary arrears.

Step 1: Identify the Cause

Before taking any action, determine why your salary is delayed. Ask yourself:

• Are you a new employee still waiting for first salary? (Likely IPPD capture delay)

• Did you miss a verification exercise? (Likely headcount issue)

• Have you recently transferred institutions? (Likely payroll transfer problem)

• Were you recently promoted? (Likely grade update pending)

• Has your Ghana Card been verified on the e-payslip platform? (Likely NIA mismatch)

If unsure, contact your institution’s HR unit first—they often know the specific issue .

Step 2: Gather Required Documentation

Depending on the cause, assemble:

Keep copies of EVERYTHING. Originals should remain with you.

Step 3: Work Through Your Institution’s HR Unit

This is the most critical rule: CAGD does not initiate payroll actions for individual workers . Your Human Resource (HR) unit:

• Submits payroll data

• Initiates IPPD corrections

• Communicates officially with CAGD

• Provides confirmation letters

Approaching CAGD directly without HR backing usually leads to delays or outright rejection .

Visit your institution’s HR or accounts office, present your documentation, and request formal submission to the appropriate authority (CAGD, Audit Service, or Ministry of Finance depending on the issue).

Step 4: Engage the Correct External Agency

Based on your issue, the external contact point differs:

Step 5: Follow Up Persistently but Professionally

Salary arrears resolution rarely happens overnight. Effective follow-up means:

• Regular check-ins with your HR unit (weekly if necessary)

• Keeping records of who you spoke to and when

• Obtaining reference numbers for official submissions

• Escalating through proper channels when initial contacts fail

As Accra Street Journal advises: “Being passive often prolongs delays” .

Step 6: Use Regional Offices Before Head Office

Many workers waste time traveling to Accra when their issues could be resolved locally . CAGD operates regional offices across all regions of Ghana that:

• Support local payroll verification

• Assist with validation exercises

• Provide guidance on payroll documentation

• Liaise with institutions in their regions

Use your regional CAGD office for:

• Salary delays

• Missing names on payroll

• Payroll validation

• IPPD record guidance

Only escalate to the national head office when regional channels fail .

Step 7: Verify Your Ghana Card on the e-Payslip Platform

Following the February 2026 rollout of the upgraded electronic pay-slip system, all public sector workers must use their NIA numbers to access pay slips . This system requires:

1. Logging on to https://gogepayservices.com

2. Completing registration with employee number and Ghana Card number

3. Verifying phone number through one-time password (OTP)

4. Creating a new password and security question

If you cannot access your payslip, your records may have issues that need correction .

For assistance, contact CAGD on 0303987950, 0303987951, 0247360841, 0245289771, or 0246968301 .

Official CAGD Contact Channels

When you need to contact CAGD directly (after HR involvement), use these official channels :

National Head Office (Accra)

Postal Address: P.O. Box M79, Ministries, Accra, Ghana (GPS: GA-110-7376)
Main Phone: +233 (0)302-983-507
Official Email: [email protected]
Alternate Lines: 0303 987 950 / 0303 987 951

Regional Office Contacts

CRITICAL WARNING: Protecting Yourself from Scams

As CAGD has repeatedly warned, fraudsters are actively targeting government employees, particularly those awaiting salary payments .

What Scammers Do

• Call posing as CAGD staff

• Demand payment for payroll-related services

• Request personal or financial information

• Promise to “fast-track” salary payments for a fee

What CAGD Will NEVER Do

• CAGD does not charge fees for any services to government employees

• CAGD does not request mobile money payments

• CAGD does not ask for banking details by phone

• CAGD does not conduct payroll business through personal phone numbers or unofficial agents

If You Receive a Suspicious Call

1. Do not share personal or financial information

2. Do not make any payments

3. Verify the caller’s identity through official CAGD channels

4. Report suspicious activity to appropriate authorities

Any request for money in exchange for payroll assistance is fraudulent. Period.

What to Expect After Resolution

Once your issue is resolved and verification is complete:

Timeline for Payment

• Current month salary: If resolved before payroll cut-off, may appear in current month

• Arrears: Typically paid 1-3 months after resolution, depending on processing cycles

• Automatic calculation: You do not need to reapply for arrears—they are calculated based on your records

Confirmation Steps

1. Check your e-payslip at https://gogepayservices.com

2. Verify that your salary reflects correct amounts

3. Monitor for arrears payments in subsequent months

4. Notify HR immediately if corrections are still needed

Special Cases: Who to Contact for What

Practical Tips to Avoid Future Arrears

✅ Do This

❌ Avoid This

Conclusion: Your Path to Payment

Resolving CAGD salary arrears in Ghana requires patience, persistence, and—above all—understanding of how the system actually works. The key principles to remember:

1. Start with your institution’s HR unit – They are your gateway to CAGD

2. Identify the correct cause – Headcount issues go to Audit Service; NIA issues go to CAGD via HR

3. Use regional offices first – Save time and money

4. Never pay for payroll services – CAGD services are free; anyone asking for money is a fraudster

5. Keep documents and follow up – Passive waiting prolongs delays

As Controller and Accountant-General Kwasi Agyei assured in February 2026, once verification is complete, salaries will be restored and arrears paid . The system, while sometimes slow, does ultimately deliver what is owed to legitimate workers.

For the public sector worker in Ghana, knowledge is the most powerful tool. Understanding the process, knowing who to contact, and avoiding scams positions you to resolve arrears faster and with less stress. As Accra Street Journal consistently emphasizes, informed workers navigate the CAGD system with fewer delays, less anxiety, and better outcomes .

Your salary is not a privilege—it is payment for work already performed. When delays occur, the steps in this guide will help you claim what is rightfully yours.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What are the most common causes of CAGD salary arrears?
Common causes include delayed IPPD data capture for new employees, NIA number mismatches, failure to participate in headcount exercises, transfer issues between institutions, promotions not reflected, incomplete documentation, and financial clearance delays .

2. Why were thousands of public sector workers’ salaries suspended in 2025-2026?
CAGD conducted payroll clean-up exercises following the 2025 Nationwide Headcount Exercise by the Ghana Audit Service. In July 2025, 5,673 employees were suspended and 47,638 removed. In January 2026, 2,563 workers who failed to participate in the headcount had salaries suspended .

3. Who should I contact first if my salary is delayed?
Always start with your institution’s HR unit. They initiate payroll actions and communicate officially with CAGD. Approaching CAGD directly without HR backing usually leads to delays .

4. What should I do if my salary was suspended due to headcount non-compliance?
Contact the Ghana Audit Service immediately to complete clearance and verification. Once the Auditor-General notifies CAGD, your salary will be reinstated .

5. How do I resolve salary arrears caused by NIA number mismatch?
Your HR unit must submit corrected NIA information electronically to [email protected] with a copy to [email protected] .

6. How do I access my electronic payslip?
Visit https://gogepayservices.com and register using your employee number and Ghana Card number. You will need to verify your phone number via OTP and create a new password .

7. Can I visit CAGD Head Office in Accra directly for salary issues?
Only escalate to the national head office when regional channels fail. Most issues can be resolved at CAGD Regional Offices, which saves time and money .

8. How long does it take to receive salary arrears after resolution?
Arrears are typically paid 1-3 months after resolution, depending on processing cycles. They are calculated automatically based on your records .

9. Does CAGD charge fees for payroll services?
No. CAGD does not charge any fees for services to government employees. Any calls requesting payment are fraudulent .

10. What should I do if I receive a suspicious call claiming to be from CAGD?
Do not share personal information, do not make payments, and verify the caller’s identity through official CAGD channels at 0303 987 950 / 0303 987 951 .

11. How can I verify if my salary issue is legitimate?
Check your e-payslip at https://gogepayservices.com. If you cannot access it, contact your HR unit or CAGD at 0303987950, 0303987951 .

12. What documents should I keep to protect myself from salary delays?
Keep copies of appointment letters, assumption of duty forms, Ghana Card, SSNIT number, bank details, transfer letters, promotion letters, and all correspondence with HR .

13. Can salary arrears be paid later if resolved?
Yes. Once issues are resolved, arrears are calculated from your assumption date and paid automatically .

14. What is the upgraded e-payslip system and why is it important?
Launched in February 2026, the system requires all public sector workers to use their NIA numbers to access pay slips. It improves transparency, security, and payroll accuracy .

15. Are salary suspensions permanent?
No. Suspensions are temporary and aimed at verification. Once issues are resolved, salaries are restored and arrears paid .

16. Who do I contact for pension-related arrears?
For pension arrears, contact SSNIT first for recalculation. After SSNIT approves, CAGD pays the arrears automatically

Source: Accra Street Journal

Last Updated on March 18, 2026 by Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu

Samuel Kwame Boadu is a Ghanaian media entrepreneur and storyteller with a passion for amplifying urban voices and uncovering everyday truths. He is the Editor-in-Chief and Founder of Accra Street Journal, a dynamic digital platform dedicated to capturing the pulse of Ghana’s capital—its people, culture, challenges, business, sports and innovations.

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