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A shocking technical and forensic audit has peeled back the layers of the National Service Scheme (NSS), revealing a culture of rampant financial irregularities, payroll fraud, and systemic failure. The report, submitted to Parliament by the Auditor-General, Johnson Akuamoah Asiedu, uncovers a staggering GH¢2.45 billion in questionable transactions between 2018 and 2024.
The investigation into the NSS’s Client Service Management Portal (CSMP) and Metric App was commissioned to review controls over the enrolment, deployment, and payment of National Service Personnel (NSPs). What it found was a system seemingly designed for abuse.
The Stunning Toll: A GH¢2.45 Billion Black Hole
Before diving into the specific scandals, the sheer scale of the financial mess is breathtaking. The audit identified a litany of irregularities, including:
GH¢1.02 billion paid to personnel for more than 13 months of service.
GH¢989 million in payments made without any biometric or monthly validation.
GH¢302 million in unverified payments to “NSP vendors” through the ‘Marketplace’ system.
GH¢55 million in unaccounted banking transactions.
GH¢40 million in unsupported payments to volunteers.
This colossal sum points to what the report describes as “systemic abuse of process and a disregard for accountability.”
Top Scandals: From “Ghost” Staff to Ineligible 1,027-Year-Olds
The report details several specific scandals that illustrate the depth of the problem.
1. The Deputy Director “Ghost” Service Person
In a stunning case of alleged double-dipping, the former Deputy Executive Director of the NSA, Gifty Oware Mensah, was enrolled as a National Service Person while holding her full-time, salaried director position. The audit reveals that this was allegedly approved by the then-Executive Director, Mustapha Ussif, who is now the MP for Yagaba-Kubori.
Ms. Oware Mensah reportedly received GH¢6,708.48 in service allowances, which were funneled to a vendor for a “purported credit facility.” This was part of a larger group of 4,556 irregular enrolments.
2. NSS Funds Paid to Internal Staff via Their Own Companies
The audit found that NSS staff allegedly created companies to receive massive payments from the very institution they worked for.
Jacob Yawson, a former IT Officer, allegedly received a jaw-dropping GH¢18.8 million through his company, Nyansapo Comp Ltd.
Gaisie Abraham Bismark, former Head of Deployment, allegedly received GH¢1.4 million through his vendor company, CONABPOWER.
3. Payments with No Paper Trail
Significant sums were transferred to the National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) without any formal agreements or memoranda of understanding. Crucially, there is no evidence to show how these funds were used, indicating a complete lack of accountability.
4. A System in Chaos: 1,027-Year-Old “Personnel”
The audit exposed severe data and control failures within the NSS system. The report found:
Personnel below the legal age of 18 were enrolled and paid.
Individuals over 60, and even records showing people as old as 1,027 years, were on the payroll.
In some cases, the system even recorded negative ages.
The Way Forward: Auditor-General’s Recommendations
To curb this systemic plunder, the Auditor-General has recommended urgent and sweeping reforms:
End Manual Manipulation: Shut down all private and manual enrolments, forcing all processes through the official CSMP channel.
“No Verification, No Pay”: Enforce a strict “No Biometric Verification, No Posting” policy, tied to the Ghana Card.
Strengthen Digital Controls: Implement robust system-based controls, forbid manual overrides, and use automated alerts to flag suspicious activity.
Move Payroll Management: Transfer the NSS payroll function to the Controller & Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) to ensure proper oversight and transparency.
The Bottom Line
This audit report is more than a list of financial figures; it’s a stark indictment of governance and accountability at a key state institution. It reveals a system where internal controls were either non-existent or deliberately bypassed, allowing public funds to be siphoned off with impunity. The ball is now in Parliament’s court to ensure that these recommendations are implemented and that those responsible are held fully accountable.
