Former NSA officials in ‘ghost names’ scandal must face justice – Opare Addo

Minister of Youth Development and Empowerment, George Opare Addo, has called for legal action against former officials implicated in the National Service Authority (NSA) payroll scandal.

His remarks follow President John Dramani Mahama’s directive for an investigation into 81,885 suspected ghost names uncovered on the NSA payroll.

Presidential Spokesperson and Minister of Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu, revealed that these irregularities were detected during a headcount of active national service personnel.

The audit, initiated at the request of Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson, aimed to clear outstanding allowance arrears dating back to August 2024. The issue was first exposed in an investigative report by The Fourth Estate in November 2024.

Speaking on Face to Face with Umaru Sanda Amadu on Channel One TV, Opare Addo expressed strong support for the ongoing investigations, emphasizing the need to address systemic vulnerabilities that allowed such discrepancies.

He underscored the significance of the National Service Authority (NSS) in shaping the future of Ghana’s graduates, stressing that its integrity must be safeguarded for national development.

“I’m not one who subscribes to the fact that because the water is bad, in throwing away the water, we should end up throwing the baby away too, no.

“There’s a problem with National service, the manner in which the system has been run may have led to problems. Let us investigate thoroughly which is being done. And let’s come out with recommendations that will not let us see what is happening again. I support the processes that are ongoing.

“Whatever processes are underway I have so much confidence in the system, I believe that once the investigations are done, everyone who’s found culpable must be made to face the law.”