By Grace Zigah
In what is shaping up to be one of the largest payroll scandals in Ghana’s recent history, President John Dramani Mahama government has launched legal and recovery proceedings against 22 individuals implicated in a GH₵500 million ghost names scandal at the National Service Scheme (NSS).
The revelations, described by observers as both alarming and systemic, highlight deep flaws in the payroll and accountability systems of the state-run youth deployment programme.
The Scandal Unfolds
Deputy Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Justice Srem Sai, disclosed the scale of the fraud during an interview with JoyNews on Wednesday, June 11, 2025.
According to him, investigations into the NSS uncovered a scheme in which individuals received salaries and allowances as fake service personnel—popularly known as “ghost names.”
A report detailing the findings of the investigation was submitted to the Attorney General’s office just last week.
Some immediate past officials, including Osei Assibey Antwi, Director General and Gifty Oware-Mensah deputy Director General have been questioned by the National Intelligence Bureau, NIB. Kwame Asare Obeng, popularly called A-Plus, MP for Gomoa Central has also been interrogated for allegedly receiving GHC1.5million in his account to ‘kill’ the story in the media.
The preliminary outcome reveals that over GH₵500 million in public funds was siphoned through fraudulent salary payments to non-existent service personnel.
“This is not just a clerical error or an isolated incident,” Srem Sai explained.
“We have identified at least 22 people directly involved in facilitating and benefiting from these ghost payments. Some have already started cooperating and have pledged to return the funds.”
Legal Action and Recoveries
While the number of suspects initially stood at 22, Srem Sai hinted that more individuals may be linked to the scandal.
However, he acknowledged that resource constraints may limit full-scale prosecutions in favour of negotiated recoveries.
“There are more people involved, but we are weighing the time and effort of prosecuting everyone against how much money we can recover. Some suspects are willing to plead guilty and cooperate. Others are already returning the funds,” he noted.
Several of the accused have reportedly offered to testify against co-conspirators as part of plea agreements that may see them receive reduced sentences.
A Broader Investigation
The ghost names case is only one aspect of a wider, ongoing investigation into activities at the National Service Scheme.
The Ministry of Justice is also examining irregularities within the NSS farms project and other administrative operations. However, the ghost name probe is the first component to reach an advanced legal stage.
The scale of the fraud has triggered concerns over the oversight capacity of the NSS and its parent ministry.
Critics argue that such a high-value heist could not have occurred without the complicity or gross negligence of senior administrators.
Background and Political Undercurrents
This is not the first time the NSS has been rocked by a ghost names scandal.
In 2014, under the administration of former President John Mahama, over 22 officials of the NSS were implicated in a similar payroll fraud, leading to arrests and prosecutions.
The recurrence of such schemes has raised troubling questions about systemic vulnerabilities and poor enforcement of financial controls.
Earlier this year, in February 2025, President Mahama ordered a manhunt for suspects linked to the emerging ghost name scandal after preliminary audit results hinted at deep-rooted corruption.
The directive came amid mounting public frustration over recurring financial scandals within government institutions.
Compounding the controversy, a March 2025 leak alleged that a former NSS CEO had attempted to bribe a sitting MP to suppress news of the fraud.
That revelation further fueled calls for a thorough house-cleaning of the NSS leadership and its processes.
