National Service Authority Payroll Cut to GH¢700m from GH¢1.6bn After Verification Reforms

The National Service Authority (NSA) has reduced its annual payroll from approximately GH¢1.6 billion to about GH¢700 million following the implementation of stricter verification measures.

Deputy Director-General, Moses Dok Nach Kpeungu, said the Authority has strengthened its payment systems to ensure that only properly verified personnel receive allowances. The updated process aims to eliminate irregular payments, particularly those associated with ghost names, by enforcing rigorous checks before disbursement.

He explained that the reduction in expenditure was not due to a decrease in the number of national service personnel, but rather improved controls in the allowance processing system. Under the new arrangement, each service person must undergo a monthly assessment endorsed by a supervisor at their place of posting before payments are approved.

According to him, the reforms demonstrate the NSA’s renewed focus on fiscal discipline and efficient use of public funds. Speaking in an interview with Joy FM, he noted that previous annual payroll costs ranged between GH¢1.5 billion and GH¢1.6 billion, but last year payments dropped to about GH¢700 million.

The development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving former NSA Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi and his deputy Gifty Oware-Mensah over alleged ghost names on the Authority’s payroll. Prosecutors claim the scheme involved 9,934 non-existent personnel, potentially causing state losses exceeding GH¢38 million.

Lt. Col. Kpeungu also indicated that most arrears owed to service personnel have been cleared, with only March payments outstanding, adding that arrangements are in place to settle the remaining amount.