The government says it has uncovered a significant discrepancy in the National Service payroll, revealing 81,885 suspected ghost names.

This figure represents the difference between the actual number of active personnel and the payroll data submitted by the previous management of the National Service Authority (NSA).

According to the latest findings, there are currently 98,145 active service personnel, a stark contrast to the 180,030 names presented for allowance payment in 2024.

"This figure is 81,885 less than the 180,030 names presented by the previous management of the Authority for allowance payment in 2024," the statement read

The 81,885 names that have been flagged as potentially fraudulent or inflated could represent a major misuse of public funds.

The recent discovery of the payroll discrepancies following an investigative piece by the Fourth Estate has prompted President Mahama to take decisive action to ensure transparency and accountability within the Authority.

The President emphasized the need for systematic checks to ensure that only verified personnel are included in the payroll moving forward.

The President has thus directed the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to immediately conduct an investigation into the operations of the National Service Authority (NSA) following the discovery of the 81,885 suspected ghost names on its payroll.

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