By: Abdul Shakun Omae
Accra, Ghana – Former officials of the National Service Authority (NSA) have strongly refuted allegations made in a recent investigative report by The Fourth Estate, describing the publication as misleading and sensational. In a statement signed by former NSA Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi and former Executive Director Mustapha Ussif, they accused the investigative outlet of misinterpreting data, selectively omitting key facts, and rushing to conclusions aimed at tarnishing their reputations.
The Fourth Estate report alleged discrepancies in the enrolment, verification, and payment processes of the NSA, including claims of “ghost names” on the payroll and irregularities in personnel data. The former officials, however, dismissed these claims, arguing that the investigative piece failed to account for the full scope of the service scheme, particularly additional enrolment cycles for nursing and teacher trainees.
*Claims of Payroll Padding Denied*
One of the key allegations in the report was that the NSA payroll was inflated with ghost names, as the figures submitted to Parliament for budgetary approval were higher than the publicly available numbers. In response, the former NSA leaders clarified that budget submissions include all service personnel posted for the year, but not all those posted make it onto the payroll due to failures in verification or non-reporting to their assigned posts.
“The Fourth Estate falsely suggests that simply because the amount allocated by Parliament exceeds verified postings, ghost names are drawing salaries,” the statement read. “In reality, only personnel who pass stringent verification processes are paid through the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GhIPSS), a subsidiary of the Bank of Ghana.”
They further explained that any surplus funds remaining after payments are left in the NSA’s accounts for future disbursements, eliminating any possibility of unauthorized withdrawals.
*Overaged and Foreign Service Personnel?*
Another significant claim by The Fourth Estate was that the NSA system contains overaged individuals, personnel with foreign photos, and incorrect ID information, suggesting that these anomalies point to ghost names receiving payments.
The former NSA officials countered that the initial enrolment data comes directly from educational institutions and private applicants, often containing errors. However, they emphasized that the NSA’s robust verification process, which includes biometric facial and fingerprint recognition, effectively filters out fraudulent entries.
“Unscrupulous persons attempt to override the system every enrolment cycle,” the statement noted. “But those who fail verification are either banned or placed on hold. The images and foreign names cited by The Fourth Estate are largely from these fraudulent attempts that were already flagged and blocked.”
*Call for Responsible Journalism*
The former NSA leaders expressed disappointment in The Fourth Estate for allegedly failing to seek independent verification from GhIPSS on the actual number of personnel paid annually. They accused the media outlet of publishing a misleading and damaging story without due diligence.
“This investigation was clearly intended to generate sensational headlines rather than uncover the truth,” the statement charged. “Journalists must adhere to their professional standards and ensure accuracy before maligning individuals with baseless accusations.”
*Welcoming Mahama’s Investigation*
Despite their strong rebuttal, the former officials welcomed President John Mahama’s directive for a formal investigation into the NSA’s operations, expressing confidence that it would clear them of any wrongdoing.
“We are certain that a thorough probe will reveal the true state of affairs, exposing the inaccuracies and misapprehensions in The Fourth Estate’s publication,” the statement concluded.
The ongoing controversy has sparked debate over transparency and accountability in Ghana’s public institutions, with many awaiting the outcome of the government’s investigation.
