Accra, Ghana – A startling revelation has emerged from an internal audit of the National Service Authority (NSS), exposing that close to 1,000 infants under the age of one year were fraudulently captured on the scheme’s payroll.
The disclosure was made by the Acting Executive Director of the NSS, Ruth Seddoh, who described the findings as part of a wider pattern of irregularities that have drained state resources and undermined the credibility of the national service programme.
According to her, the audit uncovered instances where individuals who did not meet the basic eligibility criteria—including babies—were enlisted as supposed service personnel and paid allowances.
“This discovery points to a deeply entrenched system of payroll fraud that the Authority is determined to root out,” Ms. Seddoh said. “The inclusion of nearly a thousand babies on the list is not only alarming but also a blatant abuse of public funds.”
The NSS boss assured that stringent measures are now being implemented to sanitise the payroll system, including biometric verification, cross-institutional checks, and closer collaboration with the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.
She added that the findings have been referred to the appropriate investigative bodies for further action, stressing that perpetrators will be held accountable.
The revelation has sparked public outrage, with governance advocates calling for tougher sanctions against officials who may have colluded in the scheme. Critics say the scandal highlights broader weaknesses in Ghana’s public sector payroll management, often plagued by “ghost names” and fraudulent enlistments.
The NSS, established in 1973, requires all graduates from accredited tertiary institutions to undertake a year of national service. However, repeated reports of payroll fraud and weak oversight have raised concerns about the scheme’s efficiency and accountability.
Ms. Seddoh reiterated the Authority’s commitment to restoring public confidence. “We cannot allow the sacrifices of genuine service personnel to be undermined by fraud and corruption. The National Service Scheme must remain a credible institution,” she stated.
Source – My News Ghana
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