Mahama orders probe into National Service Authority ‘ghost names’ scandal

President John Dramani Mahama has directed the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to launch an immediate investigation into the operations of the National Service Authority following the discovery of up to 81,885 suspected ghost names on the payroll under the previous government.

This directive comes after a headcount of active National Service personnel, which was ordered by the Minister for Finance as a prerequisite for the clearance of allowance arrears dating back to August 2024.

The headcount revealed that 98,145 actual National Service personnel were entitled to the allowances, significantly lower than the 180,030 names previously presented by the former management of the Authority for payment.

Consequently, the Ministry of Finance has released GHS 226,019,224 to cover the allowance payment arrears for the verified personnel.

President Mahama expressed deep concern over the discrepancy and instructed the new management of the National Service Authority to implement urgent reforms to establish adequate controls, preventing a recurrence of the ghost names phenomenon.

Felix Kwakye Ofosu, spokesperson to the President and Minister of State for Government Communications, confirmed the President’s directive and emphasised the administration’s commitment to addressing the issue.

President Mahama has also tasked the new management of the Authority to carry out urgent reforms with the view to establishing adequate controls to prevent a recurrence of the phenomenon of ghost names,” he stated.

This investigation aims to ensure transparency and accountability within the National Service Authority, restoring confidence in its operations and safeguarding public funds.

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