By: Kwame Bediako
Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Akuritinga Ayine, has announced plans to charge former Sports Minister, Mustapha Ussif and eleven other officials from the National Service Scheme (NSS) for their involvement in a massive payroll fraud scheme that led to the loss of over GHC 548 million to ghost names over six service years. The revelations come as part of an ongoing investigation into corruption and financial misconduct within the NSS.
According to Dr. Ayine, the fraudulent activities date back to the 2018/2019 service year, during which approximately GHS 25.86 million was illegally siphoned through non-existent personnel.
The scheme involved the creation of fake names and accounts, allowing officials to divert public funds meant for legitimate service personnel into private pockets. The investigation uncovered a systematic pattern of abuse that spanned several years, highlighting the depth of the corruption.
The latest figures from the 2023/2024 service year show a decline in the amount lost, with GHS 32.88 million being diverted through ghost names. This reduction suggests some improvement in internal controls within the NSS, but the scheme’s persistence indicates that the problem remains significant. The ongoing measures aim to fully dismantle the fraud network and ensure accountability among those involved.
The case has attracted widespread public attention, with calls for strict legal action against all implicated officials.
Dr. Ayine emphasised that the charges will include not only the individuals directly involved but also those who enabled or covered up the fraudulent activities.
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Over GHS 548 million lost to NSS ghost names in 6 years – Attorney General
