Ghana’s Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has revealed that the country lost more than GH¢548 million through what he described as a “criminal enterprise” operating within the National Service Authority (NSA).
Speaking during a media briefing in Accra, Dr Ayine confirmed that officials from the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) and the Attorney-General’s Office have concluded investigations and developed a docket for prosecution. “NIB officials and AG’s Office have worked to develop docket after investigation into the NSS scandal,” he said.
According to Dr Ayine, the staggering financial loss stemmed from a deliberate scheme that diverted funds meant for legitimate service projects. “Monies approved by Parliament for projects submitted by NSS were deposited to ADB Bank accounts and diverted into private pockets,” he stated, pointing to systemic abuse within the scheme.
Among those implicated is former Deputy Director of the National Service Scheme, Gifty Oware-Mensah, who is alleged to have masterminded the operation. In total, 12 individuals are expected to be charged for their roles in the financial scandal.
The Attorney-General’s remarks come amid growing public scrutiny of corruption in public institutions. He assured that the government is committed to holding the perpetrators accountable and recovering stolen funds where possible.
More details, including the charges and court dates, are expected to be announced in the coming days.
