Government Uncovers 81,885 Suspected Ghost Names On National Service Payroll

The Ghanaian government has uncovered 81,885 suspected ghost names on the payroll of the National Service Scheme (NSS) during a nationwide payroll audit. This revelation has sparked widespread concern about the misuse of public funds and the inefficiencies within the system.

The investigation, which was initiated as part of a broader effort to clean up payrolls across government institutions, aimed to verify the legitimacy of personnel registered under the National Service Scheme. According to the Ministry of Finance, the discovery was made during the disbursement of GH¢226 million in allowances for verified service personnel.

In response to the revelations, the Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, has denied any involvement in payroll fraud. He described the allegations as “baseless and unfounded,” asserting that the NSA operates with transparency and accountability.

Antwi highlighted the measures implemented since 2021, including an electronic payment system that has reportedly saved the government GH¢300 million by preventing fraud. He added: “The National Service Authority remains committed to transparency and welcomes investigations into these allegations.”

The discovery has reignited public discourse on the prevalence of ghost names in Ghana’s public payroll systems. Civil society organizations and anti-corruption advocates have called on the government to adopt stricter auditing measures and leverage technology to eliminate payroll fraud.

President John Dramani Mahama has also weighed in on the issue, urging the government to conduct a thorough investigation and hold accountable those responsible for the irregularities. Mahama stated: “This issue undermines public trust in our institutions. We must act decisively to prevent such fraud and safeguard public resources.”

The government has tasked the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) with conducting a detailed probe into the matter. Additionally, the Ministry of Finance plans to enhance its payroll verification system to ensure that only legitimate personnel receive payments.

As Ghanaians await the outcomes of the investigation, this scandal serves as a wake-up call to address systemic flaws and promote accountability within public institutions.