Ghanaian President, John Mahama has ordered an investigation into the National Service Authority (NSA) after a headcount revealed over 81,000 suspected ghost names on its payroll.
The discovery was made during efforts to clear arrears for graduates undertaking their mandatory one-year national service. According to the presidency, the finance ministry had already disbursed 226 million cedis ($14.6 million) to just over 98,000 legitimate recipients, raising questions about how much may have been lost to ghost entries in the past.
The NSA, responsible for graduate placements, has long been dogged by complaints of mismanagement. Mahama, who returned to power in January, has vowed to root out entrenched corruption as Ghana emerges from its worst economic crisis in decades. He has framed the payroll scandal as proof of the urgent need for systemic reforms.
Meanwhile, the Office of the Special Prosecutor (OSP) on Wednesday declared former Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta wanted, accusing him of involvement in five suspicious transactions under corruption investigation.
The two developments highlight Ghana’s intensified anti-graft campaign and efforts to rebuild public trust.
