Former Executive Director of the National Service Authority, Osei Assibey Antwi, has pleaded not guilty to 21 criminal charges filed against him in connection with the alleged National Service “ghost names” payroll scandal.
The charges were increased from 14 to 21 after prosecutors filed an amended charge sheet during proceedings at the Accra High Court. The new counts include allegations of causing financial loss to the state, stealing, money laundering, and improper payment of public funds.
According to prosecutors, the case relates to alleged financial irregularities that occurred during Assibey Antwi’s tenure as head of the National Service Authority between September 2021 and January 2025.
Investigators claim that payments amounting to GH¢431,761,556.76 were made to individuals who were either not legitimate national service personnel or whose identities could not be verified. The revised charge sheet states that these payments were authorised for “non service personnel and unverified individuals,” replacing earlier claims that the funds were paid to over 60,000 ghost names.
The prosecution also alleges that some funds meant for service personnel allowances were transferred to an e zwich card registered in Assibey Antwi’s name, which reportedly received about GH¢8.256 million between 2022 and 2024. Investigators say the card was not disclosed during the official handover of office and was later discovered during a search at his residence in Dome.
Further allegations involve payments made to vendors under the National Service Authority marketplace system without services being rendered. Prosecutors claim some vendors later returned the money directly to the former NSA boss in cash rather than refunding the funds to the authority.
Additional charges relate to the Sekyere Kumawu Economic Enclave Farm Project, where about GH¢106 million was transferred for agricultural development. Investigators argue that the project failed to deliver value for money, resulting in an estimated GH¢61.29 million loss to the state.
Despite the accusations, Assibey Antwi has denied all allegations in court. The court has allowed him to remain on his existing bail conditions while the case proceeds.
The trial has been adjourned to April 13, 2026, when the court is expected to hold a case management conference to determine the next stage of the proceedings.
