Ghana’s Attorney‑General and Minister for Justice, Dominic Ayine, has exposed a staggering GH¢548.3 million siphoned from the National Service Scheme (NSS) through a fraudulent “ghost names” payroll scheme spanning six years.
1. How the Fraud Worked
- Investigators identified 81,885 ghost names added to the NSS payroll, facilitating monthly fraudulent payments of over GH¢50 million.
- Ghost workers were supported with fabricated IDs and index numbers, bypassing system checks.
2. Scope of Financial Loss
- The total fraud occurred between 2018 and 2024, with over GH¢350 million lost just during the 2022/23 service year .
3. Who’s Involved
- 12 suspects, including former NSS Executive Director Mustafa Yusif, ex-Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi, and former Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah, are facing prosecution .
- A network of vendors also colluded by billing for undelivered goods and services, receiving millions with no verifiable evidence .
4. Broader Corruption Ties
- The scheme allegedly included bribes to a sitting MP who intervened to suppress media coverage in late 2024 .
- Some accused individuals have entered non-prosecution agreements, agreeing to testify for the state in exchange for immunity .
5. Next Steps & Recovery
- The AG’s office plans to file criminal charges in early July and recover stolen funds under the Operation Recover ALL Loots (ORAL) initiative .
- 81,885 ghost names are being cross‑checked against legitimate NSS records via GHIPSS payments, to reclaim misappropriated funds .
Why It Matters
| Impact Area | Outcome |
|---|---|
| Massive Financial Loss | Over GH¢500 million diverted, burdening public finances |
| Institutional Corruption | High-level collusion shows systemic weakness |
| Accountability Push | ORAL initiative and prosecutions aim to deter future abuses |
| Public Trust | Transparency and recovery efforts are essential for restoring faith |
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