The National Service Authority (NSA) has firmly refuted recent media allegations of payroll fraud involving “ghost names,” dismissing the claims as baseless and without merit.

Responding to accusations of inflating payroll figures for National Service Personnel between 2018/2019 and 2023/2024, the NSA stated it has implemented a robust electronic system since 2021 to prevent such malpractices.

The system, it claims, has saved the nation over 300 million cedis in four years.

“Since 2021, the National Service Authority has instituted strong electronic measures that have created effective checks and balances across the mobilisation and deployment process,” the NSA said in a statement signed by its Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi.

He highlighted that advanced technologies, including the Ghana Card, facial verification systems, and eligibility validation from tertiary institutions, have successfully eliminated fraudsters and “ghost names” from the NSA system.

“The evidence of our progress is overwhelming,” the statement noted.

It continued that: “These measures have shut down any opportunity for fraudulent activities.”

To further clear its name, the NSA Governing Board has invited the National Investigation Bureau (NIB) to probe the allegations.

At an emergency meeting held on Thursday, 12 December 2024, the board resolved to cooperate fully with investigations to ensure transparency and accountability.

“We cannot fathom why such damaging allegations are being propagated at a time when we’ve made significant strides to enhance operational efficiency,” the statement stressed.

The NSA also called for restraint from the public and media, cautioning against premature conclusions that could harm innocent individuals.

“We urge the public to avoid speculative commentaries. The reputational damage caused to innocent parties may be irreversible if the claims are found untrue,” the statement warned.

The Authority acknowledged receiving a petition from the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA) to the Office of the Special Prosecutor.

 It welcomed the move, pledging full cooperation to establish the facts.

“We remain committed to serving Ghana with integrity while ensuring that public resources are judiciously protected and utilised,” Mr Antwi added.

The NSA therefore reassured stakeholders of its dedication to operational transparency and invited collaboration to address any legitimate concerns.