President John Dramani Mahama has ordered the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to launch an immediate probe into the operations of the National Service Authority following the shocking discovery of 81,885 suspected ghost names on the payroll under the previous government.
This directive comes as part of efforts to address financial irregularities and restore accountability within the institution responsible for administering the country’s National Service Scheme.
The investigation follows a recent headcount of active National Service personnel, which was conducted on the orders of the Minister for Finance as a prerequisite for the clearance of allowance arrears dating back to August 2024. The findings from the headcount exposed a significant discrepancy between the actual number of personnel serving and the figures previously reported for payment. According to the results, only 98,145 active National Service personnel were found to be legitimately entitled to their allowances, a stark contrast to the 180,030 names presented by the former management of the Authority. This revelation suggests that tens of thousands of ghost names had been fraudulently added to the payroll, leading to potential financial losses amounting to millions of cedis.
In response to the verified personnel count, the Ministry of Finance has released GHS 226,019,224 to clear the outstanding allowance arrears. However, the discovery of such a massive payroll discrepancy has raised concerns about the extent of mismanagement within the National Service Authority and the possible involvement of officials in fraudulent activities.
President Mahama, visibly alarmed by the scale of the irregularities, has directed the new leadership of the National Service Authority to implement immediate reforms to establish strict controls and prevent future occurrences of ghost names on the payroll. His directive underscores the government’s commitment to fighting financial mismanagement and ensuring that public funds are protected from exploitation.
Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson to the President and Minister of State for Government Communications, reaffirmed Mahama’s resolve in addressing the issue and ensuring accountability. He stressed that the administration will not tolerate any form of financial misconduct and will take all necessary steps to rectify the situation.
“President Mahama has tasked the new management of the Authority to carry out urgent reforms with the view of establishing adequate controls to prevent a recurrence of the phenomenon of ghost names,” Kwakye Ofosu stated.
The President’s decision to involve the National Investigations Bureau signals the seriousness of the matter, as the government seeks to unravel the full extent of the payroll fraud. The NIB is expected to examine how the ghost names were inserted into the system, identify those responsible, and recommend appropriate legal actions against culprits. Investigators will also assess the internal mechanisms of the National Service Authority to determine whether there were lapses in oversight that allowed such widespread discrepancies to occur.
The discovery of ghost names on government payrolls is not a new issue in Ghana’s public sector. Over the years, multiple government institutions have been plagued by similar fraudulent activities, leading to significant financial losses to the state. However, the scale of the ghost names uncovered in the National Service Authority has intensified calls for stricter measures to prevent payroll fraud.
Anti-corruption organizations and civil society groups have lauded the President’s swift response and called for a thorough and transparent investigation. Many have also urged the government to extend the probe to other agencies that handle large-scale public sector payments, ensuring that such fraudulent practices are curtailed across the board.
A governance expert, speaking on condition of anonymity, noted that the government must go beyond investigations and take concrete steps to implement systemic reforms. He emphasized that without modernizing payroll management systems and strengthening oversight, such cases will continue to emerge in different sectors.
“This issue highlights a fundamental weakness in our payroll management system. If a single government institution can have over 81,000 ghost names, what does that say about other public institutions? It is time we invest in a more sophisticated, technology-driven system that minimizes human interference and ensures real-time verification of personnel,” he stated.
The revelations have also sparked intense political debate, with members of the opposition questioning how such a massive discrepancy went undetected under the previous administration. Some opposition figures have dismissed the findings as a politically motivated attempt to discredit the past government, while others have called for a bipartisan approach to tackling the issue.
Meanwhile, the National Service Authority’s newly appointed management has assured the public of its commitment to cooperating fully with the investigation. In a brief statement, the Authority pledged to review its operational framework and implement enhanced verification processes to ensure payroll integrity.
“We acknowledge the concerns raised following the findings of the audit and headcount exercise. The new management is dedicated to restoring transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the National Service Authority. We will work closely with investigators and relevant government agencies to address the challenges and put in place stringent measures to prevent any recurrence,” the statement read.
As the investigation unfolds, many Ghanaians will be keenly watching the steps taken by the government to ensure that those responsible for the payroll fraud are held accountable. There is growing public pressure for firm action, as citizens demand transparency in the management of state funds.
For years, financial leakages resulting from ghost names on payrolls have contributed to Ghana’s fiscal challenges, diverting resources that could have been used for critical development projects. The success of this investigation and the reforms that follow will serve as a test of the Mahama administration’s commitment to fighting corruption and enforcing discipline in public service institutions.
Beyond the National Service Authority, experts believe this case could set a precedent for other government agencies to tighten their payroll systems and conduct regular audits. If properly executed, the investigation could lead to broader reforms aimed at eliminating ghost names across multiple public sector institutions.
In the coming weeks, the National Investigations Bureau is expected to provide updates on the progress of its probe, including any arrests or disciplinary actions taken against individuals found culpable. The findings of the investigation will also help shape future policy decisions on payroll management and fraud prevention within government institutions.
As Ghana moves forward in its quest for greater financial accountability, the outcome of this case will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications for governance, transparency, and public sector efficiency.
