Rethinking the Terrain of Ghost Workers in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Manifestation of the Governance Status and Poverty Dilemma

Abstract

This paper argues that the prevalence of ghost workers in most developing countries,
and in Africa, South of Sahara in particular, reflects the poor governance practices in
the region; but more so contributes to interminable poverty. Drawing from secondary
data—and with reference to Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Tanzania—this paper
examines the depravity of the practice of inclusion of ghost workers in a workforce in
the region. It unveils the impact such vice yields on socio-economic development
initiatives. Potential resources that would have otherwise been allocated to various
initiatives to address perennial poverty in the region are squandered. Therefore, social
service provision and sub-optimal infrastructural and social projects are derailed,
further accentuating poverty. Worse, the few perpetrators of such malpractices amass
wealth, while most of the population remains impoverished. While ghost workers
earn without any input, most potential workers are unemployed. Given the colossal
impact of ghost workers on countries’ resources, many governments have opted to use
information communication and technology, forensic accounts and strengthening
leadership ethics of public servants to fight the vice. Despite these efforts, however,
ghost workers are still being enrolled for salary and associated benefit schemes. This
necessitates the adoption of new techniques to uproot ghost workers in the
government systems; which require a consistent application of updated science and
technology mechanisms to detect and uproot ghost workers. Routine forensic training
for personnel in relevant positions should be conducted to ensure further elimination
of ghost workers from government payrolls.