The Deputy Attorney General, Dr Justice Srem Sai, has disclosed that investigators probing the presence of ghost names in the National Service Authority (NSA) have submitted a damning report implicating 22 individuals in the alleged theft of over GH¢560 million.
Speaking on PM Express on JoyNews on Wednesday, Dr Srem Sai revealed that this is part of a broader investigation into financial irregularities within the NSA.
“National Service operates in different aspects,” he explained. “There’s an aspect involving projects the Secretariat undertakes—they have farms where they acquire property, grow and sell produce. Then, there’s the issue of paying ghost National Service personnel.”
He confirmed that the investigative team has so far completed work specifically on the ghost names aspect.
“The report was submitted last week by the investigators. We have started building a docket on that,” he said.
According to Dr Srem Sai, the report identifies 22 individuals as responsible for the ghost names-related financial loss. “We are talking about over GH¢560 million. That’s what we are looking at from the 22 individuals investigators believe are responsible for, if you like, alleged looting,” he added.
However, he noted that not all 22 may face prosecution in court.
“You have to weigh the cost in terms of time and effort of prosecuting all these individuals against the benefit of recovering the money,” he stated.
He disclosed that many of the suspects have shown a willingness to cooperate. “A lot of them—only a few are not willing—but a lot are willing to return the money,” he said.
Some have also offered to serve as prosecution witnesses. “They’ve shown a desire not only to return the money but also to testify against others,” he noted.
As a result, the number of individuals eventually charged could be lower than the 22 named in the report.
“Before we go to court, the number will not be 22. It will come down because we are still in talks with these individuals,” he explained.
Dr Srem Sai also confirmed that plea bargaining is an option for some of the accused.
“After we charge them, they have the opportunity to enter plea bargains—admit guilt, negotiate reduced sentences, and return the money,” he said.
He noted that these discussions allow suspects to explain why they should be granted leniency in exchange for restitution and cooperation.
Importantly, Dr Srem Sai stressed that this ghost names investigation is only one part of a broader probe into the operations of the NSA.
More reports are expected on other aspects of the National Service Secretariat’s projects, he added.
“For now, our focus is on recovery and justice—one conversation at a time,” he concluded.
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