National Service Authority denies ‘ghost names’ allegations

The National Service Authority (NSA) has strongly denied recent media reports accusing it of payroll fraud and the inclusion of “ghost names” in its system.

In a press release issued on December 16, 2024, the NSA described the allegations as “baseless and unfounded”, reaffirming its commitment to upholding accountability and transparency in its operations.

The Authority emphasized that its systems have undergone major upgrades since 2021 to combat fraud. These enhancements include facial verification, Ghana Card integration, and institution-based eligibility checks—measures that the NSA claims have saved the country over 300 million cedis between 2021 and 2024.

The statement highlighted that both the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance, and other key stakeholders possess concrete evidence of the positive impact these systems have delivered.

While acknowledging that no system is entirely immune to fraudulent attempts, the NSA stressed that incidents of fraud have been drastically reduced due to these innovations. It dismissed the allegations as inconsistent with the current efficiency of its monitoring processes.

To address the matter, the NSA’s Governing Board convened an emergency meeting on December 12, 2024, during which it engaged the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) to thoroughly investigate the claims. According to the Board, no concrete evidence has been presented so far to substantiate the accusations.

The Authority also acknowledged receiving a petition from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) and The Fourth Estate, which was forwarded to the Office of the Special Prosecutor. The NSA has pledged full cooperation to uncover the truth.

The statement urged the public to remain measured in their discussions on the issue, warning against premature conclusions that could cause irreversible harm to individuals later proven innocent.

“The damage caused to individuals cleared of such accusations can be irreparable,” the release cautioned.

Reiterating its commitment to national service delivery, the NSA assured Ghanaians of its dedication to safeguarding public resources and ensuring they are utilized responsibly.

Osei Assibey Antwi, Director-General of the National Service Authority, affirmed: “We remain resolute in serving Ghana with integrity, transparency, and accountability.”