The Acting Director General of Ghana Education Service (GES), Mr. Michael Nsowah has described as false claims by the Auditor General that there are ghost names on the pay roll of the GES.

This follows a directive issued by the Auditor General to him and the Financial Controller of GES, Charles Otto to delete 169 ghost names from the payroll and also provide information on past deletions or risk being surcharged with any amount lost by the state due to that.

In an interview in Accra Mr. Nsowah said the problem has arisen because of delays in submitting the necessary data by the various district offices of the GES.

He, however, indicated that this has been duly explained to the Auditor General hence, it is strange that it would come out with such directives.

Mr Nsowah explained that some time in 2001, the Auditor General dealt effectively with the issue of ghost names in all sectors of the economy including GES hence it is strange that he would come back to them to tell them to delete ghost names again.

According to Michael Nsowah, the 169 names in contention are people who are working, thus it would be unthinkable for any one to suggest that their names be deleted from the payroll of the Ghana Education Service, since it would only create unnecessary pressure and suspicion at GES.

He added that the Auditor General is well placed to verify those people who are working or not working, since the data on those workers are on their network.

Further more, he stated that he is prepared to provide documentation to vindicate his position that the Auditor General?s argument is flawed.

Reacting to assertions by the Auditor General to the effect that his salary for January would be withheld if the deadline is not met, Mr. Michael Nsowah said although he finds no problem with it, GES would advise themselves if it turns out that the basics for his actions are flawed.