The National Service Authority (NSA) has significantly reduced its annual payroll from about GH¢1.6 billion to approximately GH¢700 million following the implementation of stricter verification systems.

Deputy Director-General of the NSA, Moses Dok Nach Kpeungu, said the Authority has strengthened its payment processes to ensure that only duly verified personnel receive their allowances.

He explained that the new system is aimed at eliminating irregular payments, particularly those linked to ghost names, by enforcing rigorous checks before disbursements are made.

According to Lt. Col. Kpeungu, the substantial savings were achieved not by reducing the number of personnel deployed nationwide, but by tightening controls around the processing of monthly allowances.

Under the revised system, every national service person is required to undergo a monthly evaluation, which must be endorsed by a supervisor at their place of posting before payment is approved.

He noted that the measures demonstrate the NSA’s renewed commitment to fiscal discipline and value for money.

“Previously, the government’s payroll was between GH¢1.5 billion and GH¢1.6 billion annually. As of last year, we paid barely about GH¢700 million,” he said in an interview with Joy FM.

The development comes amid ongoing legal proceedings involving former NSA Director-General Osei Assibey Antwi and his deputy Gifty Oware-Mensah over allegations of ghost names on the Authority’s payroll.

Prosecutors allege that the scheme involved 9,934 non-existent national service personnel, resulting in potential state losses exceeding GH¢38 million.

Lt. Col. Kpeungu further disclosed that most arrears owed to service personnel have been cleared, with only one month—March—remaining outstanding, adding that efforts are underway to settle the remaining payments.