Renowned anti-corruption advocate Vitus Azeem has cautioned President John Dramani Mahama against any interference in the high-profile investigation and looming prosecutions tied to the massive payroll fraud scandal at the National Service Authority (NSA).
Speaking on Citi Eyewitness News on Friday, June 13, Azeem praised the government’s resolve in pursuing justice but underscored the importance of maintaining institutional independence throughout the process.
“I think that there is a sign that he is determined, and he has got an Attorney General who is also able to pursue these things. What I have to say is that President Mahama should not get involved and should not try to influence whatever direction the issue goes. He should leave it to the appropriate institutions to investigate and prosecute when the need arises,” Azeem said.
His remarks follow a disclosure by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, that 12 former NSA officials are set to face prosecution over their alleged involvement in a payroll manipulation scheme that siphoned over GH¢548 million from the state between 2022 and 2024.
According to Dr. Ayine, investigators uncovered a sophisticated racket in which thousands of ghost names were illicitly added to the NSA’s payroll, enriching both public officials and private collaborators.
Those named in the prosecutorial brief include former NSA Executive Director Mustapha Ussif; former Director General Osei Assibey Antwi; and former Deputy Executive Director Gifty Oware-Mensah. Also cited are Kweku Ohene Gyan, Abraham Bismark Gaisie, Eric Nyarko, Albert Oteng Owusu, Kweku Dekyi Agyei, Iddrisu Ibn Abu-Bakr, Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, Prince Agbofa Awuku, and Jacob Yawson.
The AG also revealed that private vendors were complicit in the fraud, having allegedly colluded with these officials to manipulate the NSA’s Central Management System and siphon off public funds.
Meanwhile, President Mahama has reiterated his commitment to constitutional governance and has pledged not to meddle in the legal processes related to the NSA payroll scandal. He has reaffirmed his administration’s respect for the rule of law and the independence of Ghana’s anti-graft institutions.
