Mustapha Ussif Breaks Silence on GH¢548m NSS Scandal: “I’m Ready to Account for My Stewardship”

Former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Mustapha Ussif, has strongly denied any wrongdoing in the GH¢548 million payroll fraud scandal that has rocked the institution and sparked a nationwide outcry.

In an official statement released on Friday, June 13, Mr. Ussif declared his innocence, affirming that he served the country “with diligence and honesty” throughout his tenure at the NSS from February 2017 to January 2021.

“It is my fervent belief that once you hold public office, you should at all material times, and at whatever cost, be ready, willing, and able to account for your stewardship,” he stated.

“Therefore, I wish to say that I am ready, willing, and able to account for my stewardship at the National Service Scheme.”

The embattled former Director added that he welcomed any opportunity to appear before the courts and urged his supporters and constituents to remain calm.

■ Attorney General Targets 12 for Prosecution in Payroll Fraud

Mr. Ussif’s response came just hours after the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, announced that 12 former senior officials of the NSS would soon face prosecution for their alleged roles in a massive payroll manipulation scheme involving ghost names and double postings.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra, Dr. Ayine described the alleged scam as “a well-organised network of corruption” and confirmed that prosecution dockets were being finalised.

Those expected to be charged include:

● Mustapha Ussif – Former Executive Director

● Osei Assibey Antwi – Former Director-General

● Gifty Oware-Mensah – Former Deputy Executive Director

● Kweku Ohene Gyan – Former Deputy Executive Director, Operations

● Abraham Bismark Gaisie – Former Head of Deployment

● Eric Nyarko – Former Head of Accounts

● Albert Oteng Owusu – Former Internal Auditor

● Kweku Dekyi Agyei – Accounts Officer

● Iddrisu Ibn Abu-Bakr – Former Head of Accounts

● Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi – Koforidua Municipal Director

● Prince Agbofa Awuku – District Director

● Jacob Yawson – MIS Administrator, Northern Region

■ Ghost Names, Double Postings and Deployment Data Tampering

The scandal allegedly involved manipulation of deployment systems, creation of ghost names, and double payments to individuals across several district offices of the NSS, costing the state over half a billion Ghana cedis.

Although official charges are yet to be filed, the scale of the alleged fraud has triggered intense calls from civil society organisations and the public for speedy and transparent prosecutions.

■ Public Watchdog Pressure Mounts

With trust in public institutions under scrutiny, political commentators and anti-corruption activists are calling for decisive action from the Attorney General’s office.

“This case must not become just another headline. Prosecution must be swift, independent, and fair,” said one legal analyst.

As the country watches closely, Mustapha Ussif’s defiant stance could mark the beginning of one of Ghana’s most closely watched corruption trials in recent years.