A major payroll fraud scheme has been uncovered in the Birim North District of the Eastern Region in what the National Service Authority (NSA) describes as a “dastardly act” and a betrayal of public trust.

Two senior officers of the Authority — the District Manager and the MIS Manager — have been interdicted after confessing to orchestrating an elaborate system of illegal payments to ineligible service personnel, according to a press release by NSA.

“This is not merely a disciplinary matter. It is a breach of public trust, a violation of the National Service Act, and a direct assault on the integrity of our public institutions,” said Felix Gyamfi, Director-General of the NSA, in a press statement.

According to the Authority, the two officials manipulated records to validate and process monthly allowances for 29 individuals during the current 2024/2025 service year and 49 others in the previous 2023/2024 cycle.

Many of these individuals were already employed or on study leave with pay, but were fraudulently enrolled and paid as regular National Service Personnel.

“These were not mistakes. They were calculated and deliberate acts of deception,” the statement said.

“We presented them with substantial evidence. In the meeting this morning, they admitted to their direct involvement in the fraudulent activity.”

The scandal is just one part of what the NSA now describes as a nationwide canker threatening the credibility of the service scheme.

“As part of the ongoing reforms and comprehensive clean-up… we have uncovered a troubling trend involving willful falsification of records by individuals currently working as Teachers, Nurses, Midwives, Customs Officers, and others in Ministries, Departments, Agencies, and private companies,” the NSA disclosed.

According to the Authority, some permanent public servants fraudulently register as National Service Personnel to receive monthly allowances while also drawing salaries from their main employers—an illegal double benefit in clear violation of public service laws.

“For clarity, ‘Study Leave’ or ‘Employed National Service Personnel’ are not entitled to monthly service allowances,” the statement clarified.

“Their appointment letters state this in no uncertain terms. And yet, many of them collude with NSA District Managers to change their status and siphon public funds.”

Citing Section 12 of the Public Services Commission Act, 1994 (Act 482), the Authority warned that such conduct undermines the legal and ethical standards required of all public officers.

“This is unlawful enrichment. It is a misappropriation of public funds. And it shall be addressed with the full weight of applicable laws,” the NSA warned. “Anyone who attempts to defraud the system shall be found out, shamed, and held fully accountable.”

As part of sweeping reforms, the Authority has announced stricter verification protocols to cross-check National Service enrolment data against the Controller and Accountant-General’s Department (CAGD) database. This will expose cases of identity falsification and double remuneration.

In a firm ultimatum, the NSA directed all individuals involved in the practice to immediately cease submitting allowance forms and report voluntarily to their regional NSA offices by May 23, 2025, to rectify their status.

Failure to comply will result in the publication of their names and photographs, and their information will be handed over to law enforcement.

“This is a clear warning. The staff of the National Intelligence Bureau and whistleblowers have been monitoring quietly for months. The net is tightening,” the statement read.

The NSA reaffirmed its commitment to rooting out corruption and protecting the integrity of national service.

“We have zero tolerance for this conduct. Staff found guilty will be dismissed. Public servants involved will face termination, prosecution, and permanent disqualification from public service. The era of impunity is over.”