By Ashiadey Dotse
The Deputy Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr Justice Srem Sai, has revealed that the government is working to recover over GH₵500 million following investigations into the National Service Scheme (NSS) ghost name scandal.
Speaking in an interview on JoyNews on Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Dr Srem Sai said a report on the ghost names was submitted last week, and a legal case is now being built. According to him, the investigation identified 22 people believed to have received payments as fake or “ghost” service personnel.
“There are more people involved, but we are weighing the time and effort of prosecuting everyone against how much money we can recover. Some of the accused are already cooperating and are ready to return the money,” he explained.
He added that some of the suspects have agreed not only to repay the funds but also to serve as witnesses against others involved in the fraud.
The total amount of money lost through the ghost name payments is estimated at over GH₵500 million.
Dr Srem Sai also mentioned that the number of people eventually taken to court may be fewer than the original 22, due to ongoing talks with the suspects. Some have expressed willingness to plead guilty and return the money in exchange for reduced sentences.
The scandal is part of a wider investigation into various aspects of the National Service Scheme, including its farms and other projects. However, the ghost name aspect is the only part of the investigation that has been completed so far.
