Felix Gyamfi is the Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA)

The National Service Authority (NSA) has said that it has uncovered multiple instances of individuals falsifying their records in an attempt to unlawfully receive payments as National Service Personnel (NSPs).

According to the institution, these individuals, who are permanent staff members working within customs offices, ministries, and other public and private institutions, conceal their employment statuses, falsify records, and enroll themselves on the National Service Scheme.

They were reported to have subsequently presented themselves as regular service personnel, fraudulently receiving monthly stipends.

According to the institution, this discovery was made during a recent cleanup of the service’s enrollment process.

A statement dated May 14, 2025 and signed by the Director-General, Felix Gyamfi, said; “As part of the ongoing reforms and comprehensive clean-up of the National Service enrolment process, the Management of the National Service Authority (NSA) has uncovered a troubling trend involving the willful falsification of records by some individuals currently working as Teachers, Nurses, Midwives, Custom Officers, and others who work in Ministries, Departments, Agencies and private sector companies.”

He added; “These individuals who are confirmed to be permanent staff within the Public Service, are found to deliberately conceal their employment status and fraudulently enroll as regular National Service Personnel, they draw monthly Service Allowance as if they are regular National Service Persons in violation of established protocols and the laws governing the Public Service.”

The NSA also explained that although it provides an opportunity for individuals categorised as ‘study leave’ or ‘employed National Service Personnel’ — those who had not previously undertaken their mandatory National Service but are currently employed — to register and fulfill their service obligations, they are not entitled to receive monthly allowances.

This is because, unlike regular service personnel, they are already receiving salaries from their respective employers.

“For clarity, 'Study Leave' or 'Employed National Service Personnel' are individuals who are gainfully employed and receive monthly salaries from their employers but had not previously undertaken their mandatory National Service. Such individuals are allowed to register and serve to fulfil legal obligations under the National Service Act; however, these persons are not regular National Service Persons so they are not entitled to monthly service allowances, as they continue to receive salaries from their respective employers,” the statement continued.

The NSA further stated that despite being aware of their ineligibility to receive monthly allowances, some of these individuals collude with certain executives and managers within the authority to falsify records — thereby defrauding the state by unlawfully receiving allowances intended for regular service personnel.

“Notice of their ineligibility to be paid regular National Service personnel allowance is stated clearly in their appointment letters and processes leading to their enrolment as National Service Persons. However, these gainfully employed persons sometimes collude with NSA District/Municipal/Metropolitan Managers and sometimes on the blind side of NSA Staff change their status, this category of persons receive their monthly salaries as well as the NSA allowance although it is illegal.

“This conduct constitutes a clear breach of the Public Services Commission Act, 1994 (Act 482) and contravenes the ethical and legal standards required of public officers. Specifically, it undermines Section 12 of the Act, which obligates public officers to exhibit honesty, integrity, and accountability in the discharge of their duties. It further constitutes unlawful enrichment and misappropriation of public funds, and shall be addressed with the full weight of applicable laws,” the NSA cautioned.

Meanwhile, the NSA has reaffirmed its commitment to eliminating such instances of payroll fraud, stating that stricter verification processes are being implemented to detect and prevent these activities.

“In line with new reforms to eliminate payroll fraud, we are implementing stricter verification processes to sanitize the system and restore integrity to the National Service Authority. All records submitted for enrolment will now be validated against the Controller and Accountant-General's Department (CAGD) employment database to detect and eliminate instances of double remuneration and identity falsification,” it added.

Read full statement below:

MAG/AE

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