In Africa, ghost employees are still exploiting outdated management systems to fraudulently collect salaries. To address this, many countries are implementing biometric technology, which provides a robust solution for securing workforce management and improving administrative transparency.
The Cameroonian government will introduce a biometric system to track the physical presence of public sector employees at their workplaces, Minister of Public Service and Administrative Reform Joseph LE announced Tuesday.Speaking at a press briefing aired on national public television on February 25, LE said the initiative aims to reduce absenteeism and eliminate ghost employees from the state payroll.
"By enabling a unique and tamper-proof identification of each employee, this system will ensure stricter workforce management. It will also enhance transparency within the administration and contribute to a vigorous fight against absenteeism, which has been strongly criticized in recent months by the highest authorities of our country," LE said.
The move is part of Cameroon’s broader digital transformation efforts, aligning with the country’s National Development Strategy 2030 (SND-30). It is also a key component of the “Aigle” program, launched in January, which seeks to modernize public administration through new technologies. The goal is to optimize public service management and improve government policy efficiency.
The biometric system will utilize technologies such as fingerprint scanners and facial recognition devices to verify employees' physical presence. Upon arrival, employees will authenticate themselves in real time, ensuring a secure and accurate attendance record. This tamper-proof identification method will guarantee employee authenticity and strengthen workforce monitoring.
While an exact implementation date was not provided, LE said the project will begin with a pilot phase in three key administrations: the Ministry of Public Service, the Ministry of Finance, and the Supreme State Audit Office. The pilot will be followed by a gradual rollout, accompanied by targeted training for managers to facilitate adoption and maximize the system’s effectiveness.
The introduction of biometrics in the public sector is expected to reduce administrative fraud, eliminate ghost employees, and optimize state resources. However, the system's implementation will face technical and ethical challenges, particularly concerning data protection and social acceptability. The ultimate goal is to clean up the public administration and eradicate ghost employees, who cost African governments tens of billions of CFA francs annually.
By Samira Njoya,
Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji
