Ghost Workers in the Tanzanian Public Sector: Socio-Economic Impacts and Governance Implications
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.46507/jcgpp.v6i1.672Keywords:
Fraud Management, Ghost Workers, Socio-Economic ImpactsAbstract
Ghost workers on the payroll continue to undermine efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the Global South. Their presence weakens the quality of public service delivery and leads to significant socio-economic repercussions. In Tanzania, initiatives such as public service reforms, physical verification exercises for public servants, and the enhancement of human resource information systems have been introduced to address this challenge. However, the persistence of ghost workers continues to hinder service efficiency and broader developmental progress. Existing studies have not sufficiently explored the socio-economic consequences of this phenomenon. This paper therefore investigates the impact of ghost workers on public sector performance and development in Tanzania. The analysis draws on the Fraud Triangle Theory and Fraud Management Theory as conceptual frameworks. Secondary data were sourced from credible government documents and peer-reviewed journal articles, and analysed through content analysis by comparing data trends and thematic overlaps. Key findings include financial losses, increased unemployment, stalled promotions, demotivated personnel, higher anti-fraud costs, and poor service delivery. The study concludes that ghost workers compromise workforce effectiveness, undermine governance, and obstruct public sector development, thereby threatening the realisation of the SDGs. It calls for strong political will to institutionalise ethical recruitment and implement robust fraud control mechanisms, thus reducing payroll fraud and mitigating its socio-economic impact by 2030.
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