Mahama Orders Probe Into National Service Ghost Names Scandal
President directs NIB to investigate 81,885 fake names uncovered on payroll, calls for urgent reforms to prevent future fraud
- 81,885 ghost names found on National Service payroll
- Mahama orders NIB investigation and demands urgent reforms
- GHS 226M released to pay verified personnel's allowance arrears
The revelation came to light after a headcount of active National Service personnel, initiated by the Minister for Finance to facilitate the clearance of allowance arrears dating back to August 2024.
The headcount confirmed only 98,145 genuine personnel, a stark contrast to the 180,030 names presented for payment by the Authority’s former management.
Following this discovery, the Ministry of Finance released GHS 226,019,224 to settle the arrears for verified personnel. President Mahama, deeply concerned by the discrepancy, instructed the new management of the National Service Authority to implement sweeping reforms to prevent future occurrences of such fraudulent practices.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson to the President and Minister of State for Government Communications, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to transparency and accountability, emphasizing the importance of restoring confidence in the Authority’s operations.
“The President has tasked the new management to establish adequate controls to ensure this phenomenon is eradicated,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.
This investigation marks a decisive move by the Mahama administration to safeguard public funds and reinforce trust in the National Service Scheme.
