A damning six-year investigative report has revealed deeply rooted corruption within the Ghana Education Service (GES) at the district level, painting a grim picture of systemic bribery, ghost names, nepotism, and the sale of appointments and transfers that undermine Ghana’s education sector.
The report, conducted independently by education advocate Daniel Yeboah between 2019 and 2025, spans all 16 regions of Ghana and is based on over 300 interviews with teachers, GES officials, HR personnel, and school heads. It also draws on leaked documents, audit reports, and confidential memos.
The investigation reveals a nationwide culture of institutional corruption, indicating that as many as 78% of districts collect bribes for transfer approvals, and 60% are involved in the sale of fake appointment or posting letters.
Widespread Abuse and Bribery in GES District Offices
Among the most shocking revelations is the high prevalence of pay-to-post practices, with teachers being charged between GHS 1,000 and GHS 2,500 for favourable placements or faster promotions.
“They demanded GHS 1,200 before I could be posted near my spouse. If you don’t pay, you remain in limbo,”
said a teacher from the Western Region.
Promotion interviews are allegedly compromised by behind-the-scenes payments, with deserving teachers sidelined in favour of those who can pay bribes.
“I passed the interview, but someone else who paid was given the role,”
lamented a teacher from the Ashanti Region.
Summary of Key District-Level Corrupt Practices (2019–2025)
| Corrupt Activity | Estimated Prevalence (%) |
|---|---|
| Bribes for teacher transfers | 78% |
| Sale of fake posting letters | 60% |
| Extortion during promotions | 65% |
| Diversion of workshop/training funds | 50% |
| Nepotism in hiring | 62% |
| Manipulation of posting lists | 67% |
| Payroll fraud (ghost names) | 55% |
| Forged GES letters/stamps | 40% |
| Illegal levies from students/parents | 70% |
| Misuse of Capitation Grants | 58% |
Regional Corruption Breakdown
The corruption rates vary across regions, but all show significant signs of malpractice. The Eastern Region tops the list at 80%, closely followed by the Ashanti and Western Regions.
| Region | Estimated GES Corruption Rate (%) |
|---|---|
| Eastern | 80% |
| Ashanti | 75% |
| Western | 73% |
| Central | 70% |
| Greater Accra | 68% |
| Bono East | 65% |
| Bono | 64% |
| Western North | 63% |
| Volta | 59% |
| Upper East | 52% |
| Upper West | 48% |
Root of the Problem: HR Departments
A recurring theme throughout the investigation is the role of Human Resource departments in district education offices, which are alleged to be at the centre of corruption networks. The report claims that HR officers manipulate transfer and appointment processes, extort teachers, and even forge official letters.
Impact on Education Delivery
The findings suggest a direct link between district-level corruption and declining educational standards. The misallocation of funds, demoralised teachers, and ghost postings have resulted in poor classroom performance and neglect of infrastructure.
- Teacher morale has plummeted due to favouritism and fear of victimisation.
- Educational resources are diverted or misapplied, affecting teaching quality.
- Public trust in the Ghana Education Service has eroded significantly.
Calls for Urgent Reforms
Daniel Yeboah’s report outlines a five-point action plan aimed at tackling the crisis:
- Establish an Independent Anti-Corruption Unit under the Ministry of Education.
- Digitise All GES Processes for transparency in postings, promotions, and payroll.
- Publicly Prosecute Corrupt Officers—especially HR heads and district directors.
- Enforce Transparency Reports from every district education office quarterly.
- Protect Whistleblowers and Teacher Unions that expose wrongdoing.
A System in Crisis
The report comes at a time when Ghana is undergoing broader education reforms. But it suggests that without addressing corruption, no reform—however well-designed—can succeed.
“The education of Ghana’s future leaders cannot be left in the hands of a system plagued by extortion, favoritism, and greed,”
Yeboah emphasized.
Conclusion
This investigation provides a rare and chilling look into the inner workings of one of Ghana’s most crucial public institutions. It is a wake-up call to policymakers, educators, and civil society to demand accountability and drive institutional change.
If Ghana is to build a world-class education system, the first step must be cleansing the rot at the district level of the Ghana Education Service.
⚠️ DISCLAIMER
This article reports an independent investigative report originally posted on the “Ghana Teachers’ Updates” Telegram platform (The Original Report link: https://t.me/teachersupdate1/328679 ). The views expressed are those of the report's author and do not necessarily reflect the stance of College Desk Ghana. We invite the Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education, and other authorities to issue official statements or clarifications.
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