NSA Ghost Names Scandal: GHS2.2bn Stolen From Ghana's Coffers
Accra ,October 22,2025 - Ghana's Attorney-General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has revealed that a forensic audit conducted by the Auditor-General has uncovered a staggering GHS2.2 billion loss to the state through the National Service Authority (NSA) ghost names scandal, far exceeding the initial estimate.
Addressing the News Media as part of the Government Accountability Series on Wednesday ,Dr. Ayine said the inflated wage bill was largely due to the inclusion of non-existent service personnel, so-called "ghost names" who had been fraudulently inserted into the system, allowing payments to be siphoned off illegally.
The scandal has sparked outrage, with calls for accountability and transparency in government institutions. Dr. Ayine emphasized that the Ministry of Justice will work closely with law enforcement agencies and the Auditor-General's office to ensure that those found culpable are prosecuted and that the state recovers as much of the stolen funds as possible.
The NSA scandal involves the creation of approximately 9,934 fictitious National Service personnel, with monthly allowances siphoned off through these ghost names. The fraudulent activities have led to losses exceeding GHS38 million to the government.
Gifty Oware Mensah, a former Deputy Executive Director of the NSA, has pleaded not guilty to charges of causing financial loss exceeding GHS38 million to the state. The Attorney-General's office has announced plans to amend the charge sheet against suspects to include fresh charges based on the new forensic audit findings.
The NSA, responsible for deploying thousands of graduates annually to public and private organizations, has faced criticism for weak oversight and recurring allegations of financial impropriety.
Source - Lead News Online/Leticia Okpoti
