Mahama Orders Probe Into Ghost Names Scandal At National Service Authority

Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama has called for an immediate and thorough investigation into allegations of corruption at the National Service Authority (NSA) following the discovery of 81,885 suspected ghost names on the institution’s payroll. This shocking revelation has sparked national outrage and renewed calls for accountability in the management of public funds.

The issue came to light during a recent payroll audit and headcount aimed at addressing arrears in allowance payments to National Service personnel. According to initial findings, the ghost names may have resulted in the loss of millions of Ghana cedis in unwarranted payments over the years.

In response, Mahama has urged the government to act decisively: “This is an affront to the trust Ghanaians place in public institutions. Such systemic corruption must not be tolerated. I call on the government to investigate this issue thoroughly and ensure that those responsible are held accountable,” he said during a press briefing.

The Finance Ministry, in a bid to clean up the payroll, recently disbursed GH¢226 million to over 98,000 verified service personnel. However, this process unearthed significant irregularities, prompting further scrutiny.

The Director-General of the NSA, Osei Assibey Antwi, has strongly denied any wrongdoing by the Authority. In a public statement, he described the allegations as baseless and emphasized the NSA’s commitment to transparency. He also disclosed that the Authority has implemented robust electronic measures since 2021, which have reportedly saved the nation over GH¢300 million by preventing fraudulent activities.

To ensure an impartial investigation, the NSA has invited the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) to probe the matter. Antwi stated: “We remain committed to accountability and welcome any measures that will ensure public confidence in our operations.”

The revelation has reignited concerns over the prevalence of ghost names in Ghana’s public sector payroll, an issue that has plagued the nation for decades. Civil society organizations and anti-corruption advocates have called for systemic reforms, including enhanced digitization and independent audits of all public sector payrolls.

This scandal underscores the urgent need for stronger mechanisms to combat corruption in Ghana’s public institutions. As the investigation unfolds, Ghanaians eagerly await answers and concrete actions to prevent such occurrences in the future.