The National Service Authority (NSA) has strongly refuted allegations of payroll fraud and the inclusion of “ghost names” in its payment system, describing the claims as “baseless and unfounded.”
This comes in response to an investigative report by the FourthEstate, alleging fraudulent inflation of allowances for National Service Personnel over the service years spanning 2018/2019 to 2023/2024.
In a press release issued on December 16, 2024, the NSA outlined the extensive reforms it has implemented since 2021 to combat payroll irregularities. These measures, which include the integration of advanced electronic systems, have reportedly saved the state over GHS 300 million in the last four years.
According to the NSA, the introduction of robust electronic processes has brought unprecedented transparency to the mobilization and deployment of National Service Personnel.
“These measures resulted in several preventive attempts of fraudsters into the system and generated savings of over 300 million cedis within the period of 4 years (2021-2024).
‘The Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Finance and other key stakeholders have enormous evidence of the robust system implemented by the National Service Authority and the gains made over the period.”.
National Service Authority
These measures include the introduction of a facial verification technology, which ensure personnel identity through biometric verification; Ghana Card integration, linking personnel records to the national identification database and eligibility verification, which assist in collaborating with tertiary institutions to authenticate personnel qualifications.
These systems, the NSA claimed, have virtually eradicated “ghost name” from its payroll since 2021. The Authority acknowledged that no system is entirely immune to breaches but emphasized that its checks and balances have been instrumental in curbing fraud attempts and ensuring accountability.
Allegations Deemed Unfounded
The press release disclosed that following the recent allegations, the NSA conducted a swift review of its systems and found no evidence to support the claims.
The Authority further clarified that it views the allegations as attempts to tarnish its reputation at a time when it has made significant strides in operational efficiency and value-for-money initiatives.
“Even so, the Governing Board at its Emergency Board meeting of Thursday, December 12, 2024, has requested the National Investigation Bureau.
‘Based on our assessment, we are unable to substantiate any viable rationale that will push individuals, groups or institutions to peddle such allegations capable of tarnishing the hard-earned reputation of the Authority at this time where giant strides have been made to enhance operational efficiency and ensure value for money.”
National Service Authority
Transformative Achievements Under Threat
The NSA expressed concern that these allegations threaten to undermine its transformative progress in enhancing operational efficiency and youth development.
The Authority highlighted its efforts to align its operations with Public Service values, emphasizing its readiness to partner with stakeholders to address any verified distortions in its systems.
Reiterating its commitment to Ghana’s development, the NSA acknowledged the contributions of stakeholders and reaffirmed its dedication to equipping the nation’s youth for service and nation-building.
The Authority concluded by inviting stakeholders to collaborate on addressing operational challenges while maintaining its image and standards.
“We welcome any stakeholder ready to partner with us to deal with relevant matters and address any found or substantiated operational distortions,” the statement emphasized.
This proactive approach by the NSA seeks to safeguard its integrity and ensure the continued trust of the public and stakeholders in its operations.
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