A forensic audit conducted by the Auditor-General has uncovered that the National Service Authority (NSA) made irregular payments totaling GH¢1.01 billion to National Service Personnel (NSPs) who received allowances beyond the legally mandated service period of 12 months. The audit examined payroll data from 2018 to 2024 and found that 120,777 service personnel were paid more than the approved 13-month limit, which includes a one-time travel and transport (T&T) allowance.
The report highlighted that some individuals continued to receive monthly allowances for several years after their official service had ended. According to the Technical and Forensic Audit Report presented to Parliament on October 1, 2025, these payments were in clear violation of Act 426 of 1980, which governs the National Service Scheme and mandates a one-year compulsory service for all eligible Ghanaians aged 18 and above.
“Our audit analysis of payroll data revealed widespread anomalies, where some National Service Personnel were paid well beyond the statutory 13-month maximum, with payments spanning multiple years,” the report stated. The findings form part of a broader investigation that uncovered GH¢2.45 billion in financial irregularities at the NSA, including payments to vendors without contracts or proof of delivery.
The Auditor-General has described the anomalies as evidence of “serious lapses in payroll management and internal controls” within the Authority and recommended a comprehensive review of the payroll system and the prosecution of those responsible.
Source: Caleb Ahinakwah
