Investigations Reveal Widespread Fraud in National Service Scheme Payroll. 93-Year-Old ‘Graduate’ and Fake Identities Uncovered
More shocking details have emerged in the National Service Scheme (NSS) ghost names scandal, following the return of Gifty Oware-Mensah, a former Deputy Executive Director of NSS, who was accused of fleeing the country to avoid scrutiny.
A detailed investigation conducted by The 4th Estate and aired by TV3 on March 6, 2025, has exposed massive irregularities, including fake NSS personnel, manipulated biometric data, and fraudulent placements of elderly individuals.
93-Year-Old and Other Elderly ‘Graduates’ on NSS Payroll
Investigators uncovered bizarre cases where individuals between the ages of 80 and 93 years were listed as National Service personnel and posted to various schools.
- Nimatu Salifu (93 years old) – Listed as a graduate of the University for Development Studies (UDS) and posted to Kpiyagi D/A Primary School in the Upper East Region.
- Ruth Abdulai (91 years old) – Another supposed UDS graduate, assigned to Adakura Primary School in the Upper East Region.
- Mahamadu Ali (82 years old) – Claimed to be a UDS graduate, yet posted to Anyinabrim Anglican School in Sefwi Wiawso, Western North Region.
Fake Index Numbers and Manipulated Biometric Data
The investigation also exposed a network of fake NSS personnel linked to fraudulent index numbers from several institutions, including:
- University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA)
- Dambai College of Education (DACE)
- Valley View University (VVU)
- Tamale Technical University
Additionally, fake ID cards and altered biometric details were detected in the payroll system.
One notable case involved a 34-year-old female listed as an NSS personnel, but her ID card belonged to a male named Joel Sateen.
Kenyan Impersonation on NSS Payroll
Another shocking revelation was the fraudulent enlistment of a supposed Kenyan national, Kwame Donkor.
- The identity of Kwame Donkor was fake.
- His picture actually belonged to a Kenyan named Emmanuel Mutio, a human resource manager at i3 Technologies in Kenya.
- Despite not being real, Donkor was posted to Kasoogo Basic School.