The government has uncovered a major payroll discrepancy within the National Service Authority (NSA), identifying 81,885 suspected ghost names that may have led to substantial financial losses.

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This revelation follows a detailed audit of active National Service personnel, exposing a vast gap between the actual number of personnel and the figures previously reported for allowance payments.

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Official data now confirms that only 98,145 personnel are currently in service, compared to the 180,030 names submitted for payment in 2024.

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

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The discrepancy, which points to potential fraud or payroll inflation, was brought to light after an investigative report by The Fourth Estate, prompting swift action from the presidency.

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In response, President John Dramani Mahama has instructed the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) to launch an immediate probe into the operations of the NSA. The investigation aims to determine the extent of the irregularities and hold those responsible accountable.

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Additionally, the President has emphasized the urgent need for stricter payroll verification processes to prevent a recurrence of such financial mismanagement in the future.

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