Guinea Unveils Biometric System to Eliminate ‘Ghost’ Workers

Guinea has launched a comprehensive biometric verification system aimed at eradicating the issue of ‘ghost’ workers within its public sector. The system, named the Unique Administrative and Payroll Management Platform (FUGAS), was officially inaugurated during a ceremony attended by Prime Minister Amadou Oury Bah and the Minister of Labour, Faya François Bourouno. This initiative comes in response to widespread financial losses attributed to fictitious employees on government payrolls.

The Guinean government previously piloted FUGAS, claiming it saved approximately $26.9 million after a biometric audit revealed that less than 150,000 of the 270,000 registered civil servants were confirmed to be present at their places of work. Prime Minister Bah emphasized the significance of this system, describing it as a crucial step towards modernizing the country’s civil service and curbing unnecessary expenditures on non-existent public workers.

During the launch, Bah articulated that FUGAS serves not only as an innovation but also as a vital instrument in the nation’s anti-corruption efforts. The introduction of this system is considered a transformative milestone in Guinea’s public service digitization journey, which began in 2021. Minister Bourouno highlighted that FUGAS will enhance the transparency, traceability, and performance of the public service payroll, thus ensuring better administrative management and fostering transparent recruitment practices.

This initiative aligns with the broader framework of the Simandou 2040 strategy, which outlines Guinea’s multisectoral development and economic growth plan projected for implementation by 2040. The strategy aims to address various challenges, including the financial drain caused by the ghost worker phenomenon that has affected many African nations.

The launch of the FUGAS system is seen as an essential step in restoring financial integrity in the public sector while also promoting accountability. As Guinea moves forward with this advanced payroll management tool, the government hopes to significantly reduce wastage and foster a more efficient and trustworthy civil service.