Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced Wednesday that the country’s total financial loss from a corruption scheme within the National Service Authority (NSA) is now estimated at GHC2.2 billion, significantly higher than the GHC548 million initially reported.

The revised figure follows a forensic audit conducted by the Auditor-General, which was finalized earlier this month. Dr. Ayine said the findings have prompted the Ministry of Justice to amend existing charges and consider new indictments against individuals implicated in the scheme.

“Twelve suspects have already been charged, and based on the updated audit, we will revise the charge sheets accordingly to reflect the expanded scope of the losses,” Dr. Ayine said at a press briefing in Accra.

Extensive Fraud Alleged Within Public Service Program

The National Service Authority oversees the deployment of graduates for mandatory one-year public service in various sectors. The fraud allegedly involved payments to thousands of fictitious employees, commonly referred to as “ghost names,” over an extended period.

Among those under investigation are former NSA Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi, deputy director Oware-Mensah, and several other senior officials. The National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) has detained multiple suspects in connection with the case as authorities attempt to trace diverted funds.

The Attorney-General did not specify a timeframe for when the losses occurred but emphasized that further investigative work is ongoing.

Broader Financial Oversight Underway

Dr. Ayine also indicated that the Ministry is conducting or facilitating audits into several other high-expenditure government initiatives. These include the All African Games preparations, a mathematical sets procurement contract, the Bank of Ghana’s new headquarters, stadia renovations, and the National Cathedral project.

“In the case of the National Cathedral, the Auditor-General is being supported by one of the Big Four accounting firms to ensure a comprehensive forensic audit,” he said.

Implications for Fiscal Governance

The NSA case represents one of the largest known financial losses attributed to public sector fraud in recent Ghanaian history. The Auditor-General’s updated estimate raises concerns about oversight mechanisms in government payroll and procurement systems, particularly as the country continues to manage significant fiscal pressures following an IMF-supported recovery program.

Ghana’s government has faced criticism from civil society organizations and opposition figures over its handling of public finances. Analysts say cases like this may further complicate public trust in anti-corruption efforts.

Source:TheDotNews