[Ghana] National Service Authority payroll cut from GH¢1.6bn to GH¢700m after ghost names cleansed

Ghana’s National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the successful reduction of its annual payroll from approximately GH¢1.6 billion to GH¢700 million following the implementation of rigorous new verification systems, Republic Online reports.

The announcement was made by Lieutenant Colonel Moses Dok Nach Kpeungu, the deputy director-general of the NSA. 

He reportedly stated that the authority has reinforced its payment processes to ensure that allowances are only disbursed to duly verified personnel.

In an interview with Joy FM, Lieutenant Colonel Kpeungu said that the new system is specifically designed to eliminate irregular payments, particularly those linked to “ghost names”, by enforcing stricter checks before any disbursements are made. 

He added that these substantial savings were not achieved by reducing the overall number of service personnel deployed across the country, but by tightening the controls surrounding how monthly allowances are processed.

Under the revised regime, every national service person must now undergo a mandatory monthly evaluation. The process requires a formal endorsement from a supervisor at their specific place of posting before any payment can be approved.

Lieutenant Colonel Kpeungu reportedly said that the measures reflect the NSA’s renewed commitment to fiscal discipline and ensuring maximum value for money in public spending.

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

The Deputy Director-General also confirmed that the Authority has cleared the majority of arrears owed to service personnel.

March is now the only month outstanding. He assured personnel that the necessary processes were already underway to settle these remaining payments.

Source: Republic Online

(Quotes via original reporting)

Ghana’s National Service Authority (NSA) has announced the successful reduction of its annual payroll from approximately GH¢1.6 billion to GH¢700 million following the implementation of rigorous new verification systems, Republic Online reports.

The announcement was made by Lieutenant Colonel Moses Dok Nach Kpeungu, the deputy director-general of the NSA. 

He reportedly stated that the authority has reinforced its payment processes to ensure that allowances are only disbursed to duly verified personnel.

In an interview with Joy FM, Lieutenant Colonel Kpeungu said that the new system is specifically designed to eliminate irregular payments, particularly those linked to “ghost names”, by enforcing stricter checks before any disbursements are made. 

He added that these substantial savings were not achieved by reducing the overall number of service personnel deployed across the country, but by tightening the controls surrounding how monthly allowances are processed.

Under the revised regime, every national service person must now undergo a mandatory monthly evaluation. The process requires a formal endorsement from a supervisor at their specific place of posting before any payment can be approved.

Lieutenant Colonel Kpeungu reportedly said that the measures reflect the NSA’s renewed commitment to fiscal discipline and ensuring maximum value for money in public spending.

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

The Deputy Director-General also confirmed that the Authority has cleared the majority of arrears owed to service personnel.

March is now the only month outstanding. He assured personnel that the necessary processes were already underway to settle these remaining payments.

Source: Republic Online

(Quotes via original reporting)