The National Service Authority (NSA) has uncovered widespread payroll irregularities following a comprehensive internal audit, resulting in the identification of 8,105 questionable names within the national service system.
As part of immediate corrective measures, 1,840 individuals linked to the irregular entries have been temporarily suspended, while investigations by relevant security and investigative agencies continue.
Speaking at a press briefing on Monday, December 15, the Director-General of the Authority, Ruth Dela Seddoh, revealed that the anomalies originated from submissions by three tertiary institutions: the University of Development Studies (UDS), Ghana Communication Technology University, and Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development.
She explained that the discrepancies were uncovered by cross-checking the number of officially graduated students against the lists submitted for national service enrollment. This verification process exposed deliberate inconsistencies, pointing to the existence of a broader syndicate operating within the system.
Ms Seddoh described the findings as evidence of a “large cartel,” prompting swift intervention. Consequently, 10 staff members from the implicated institutions have been arrested and are currently assisting security agencies with ongoing investigations.
Addressing public concerns over the closure of the National Service portal after two deadline extensions, the Director-General said the decision was intentional and necessary. She explained that the shutdown enabled the Authority to repost personnel, validate records, confirm physical postings, and eliminate ghost or fraudulent names.
She added that the exercise was carefully structured to ensure accurate deployment data and to guarantee that allowances are paid only to legitimately deployed and verified national service personnel.
