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 inthe region; but more so contributes to interminable poverty. Drawing from secondarydata €”and with reference to Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Tanzania €”this paperexamines the depravity of the practice of inclusion of ghost workers in a workforce inthe region. It unveils the impact such vice yields on socio-economic developmentinitiatives. Potential resources that would have otherwise been allocated to variousinitiatives to address perennial poverty in the region are squandered. Therefore, socialservice provision and sub-optimal infrastructural and social projects are derailed,further accentuating poverty. Worse, the few perpetrators of such malpractices amasswealth, while most of the population remains impoverished. While ghost workersearn without any input, most potential workers are unemployed. Given the colossalimpact of ghost workers on countries ' resources, many governments have opted to useinformation communication and technology, forensic accounts and strengtheningleadership ethics of public servants to fight the vice. Despite these efforts, however,ghost workers are still being enrolled for salary and associated benefit schemes. Thisnecessitates the adoption of new techniques to uproot ghost workers in thegovernment systems; which require a consistent application of updated science andtechnology mechanisms to detect and uproot ghost workers. Routine forensic trainingfor personnel in relevant positions should be conducted to ensure further eliminationof ghost workers from government payrolls.