National Service Authority cuts payroll from GH₵1.6bn to GH₵700m after ghost names cleanup

The National Service Authority (NSA) has announced a significant reduction in its annual payroll, cutting it from approximately GH₵1.6 billion to about GH₵700 million after implementing stricter verification systems to eliminate ghost names. The move forms part of broader reforms aimed at improving transparency, accountability, and efficiency in the management of public funds.

Deputy Director General of Operations, Lieutenant Colonel Moses Dok Nach Kpeungu, revealed the figures during an interview on Joy FM’s Super Morning Show. He described the sharp decline in payroll expenditure as clear evidence that ongoing reforms within the Authority are yielding tangible results and helping to safeguard state resources.

“Previously, the payroll of the government was about 1.5 to 1.6 billion every year. As of last year, we paid barely about 700 million Ghanaian cedis,” he stated.

He clarified that the reduction in payroll costs was not due to a decrease in the number of national service personnel posted across the country. Instead, it was achieved through the introduction of more robust verification and payment control mechanisms that ensure only legitimately deployed personnel receive allowances.

Lt. Col. Kpeungu explained that under the enhanced system, each service person must undergo a thorough multi-level verification process before receiving their monthly allowance. Their evaluation is first endorsed by a supervisor at their assigned institution, after which it is verified at the district level. The documentation is then reviewed by an internal auditor, approved by the regional director, and finally reconciled by accountants at the NSA head office. Payments are subsequently authorised through the Controller and Accountant General’s Department.

While acknowledging that the process involves several layers of checks, he emphasized that it is fully digital and streamlined to avoid significant delays. According to him, the system has improved accountability without disrupting timely payments to personnel.

The Deputy Director General also noted that the Authority currently owes service personnel only one month’s allowance—March—which he described as a manageable backlog given the scale of the programme.

With approximately 99,500 service personnel deployed nationwide, the NSA spends an estimated GH₵50 million each month on allowances. This translates to an annual expenditure of around GH₵600 million, reflecting the reduced and more accurate payroll following the reforms.