Yagaba-Kubori MP and former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme, Mustapha Ussif, has firmly denied any involvement in the GH¢548 million payroll fraud scandal linked to the National Service Authority (NSA).
In a statement issued on Friday, June 13, Mr. Ussif acknowledged the Attorney General’s announcement regarding upcoming prosecutions but insisted that he served with “diligence and honesty” during his tenure at the NSS from February 2017 to January 2021.
“It is my fervent belief that once you hold public office, you should at all material times, and at whatever cost, be ready, willing, and able to account for your stewardship,” he said. “Therefore, I wish to state that I am ready, willing, and able to account for my stewardship at the National Service Scheme.”
He added that he is prepared to defend himself, including in court if necessary, and urged his supporters and constituents to remain calm.
Mr. Ussif’s statement follows an announcement by Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, that twelve former officials of the NSA will soon face criminal charges for their alleged roles in a large-scale payroll fraud scheme that led to the loss of over GH¢548 million.
At a press briefing in Accra on Friday, Dr. Ayine described the findings as evidence of “a well-organised network of corruption” within the NSA. He confirmed that prosecution dockets were being finalized.
Among those listed for prosecution are several former high-ranking officials of the National Service Authority, including:
- Mustapha Ussif, former Executive Director
- Osei Assibey Antwi, former Director-General
- Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director
- Kweku Ohene Gyan, former Deputy Executive Director for Operations
- Abraham Bismark Gaisie, former Head of Deployment
- Eric Nyarko, former Head of Accounts
- Albert Oteng Owusu, former Internal Auditor
- Kweku Dekyi Agyei, Accounts Officer
- Iddrisu Ibn Abu-Bakr, former Head of Accounts
- Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, Koforidua Municipal Director
- Prince Agbofa Awuku, District Director
- Jacob Yawson, MIS Administrator, Northern Regional Office
The scandal, which spans several years, involves allegations of ghost names, double postings, and manipulation of deployment data across various NSA district offices.
While official charges have yet to be filed, political and civil society groups are calling for a swift and transparent legal process.
