The Attorney General, Dr. Dominic Ayine, has revealed an expansive criminal enterprise involving top-level officials at the National Service Scheme (NSS), who allegedly orchestrated a payroll fraud operation across the country.

Nationwide Criminal Enterprise Ayine’s office says it has uncovered evidence suggesting that senior administrators—including district directors, payroll officers, and the NSS CEO—collaborated over several years to inflate the NSS payroll with fake names.

Investigators identified 81,885 "ghost" names used to siphon state resources.

The scheme allegedly resulted in the diversion of approximately GH¢548 million from public coffers.

Funds intended for newly enrolled service personnel were rerouted into the pockets of officials and accomplices.

Ghost Names on Payroll

Authorities estimate that at its peak, the fraud generated over GH¢50 million monthly in false payments.

The ghost names were supported with fabricated index and ID numbers; the system was deliberately bypassed to create unauthorised entries.

Evidence also suggests the NSS CEO and other executives diverted state funds for personal use.

Bribery is suspected: In November 2024, funds were allegedly paid to a Member of Parliament to suppress media coverage of the scandal.

Dr. Ayine disclosed that before each service year, NSS directors submitted lump-sum payments to bolster the payroll. These sums were then redistributed via ghost accounts—cementing the scheme as recurring and institutionalised.