Presidency Orders Immediate Suspension of NSS Digital Platform Amidst Ghost Names Scandal

Presidency Orders Immediate Suspension of NSS Digital Platform Amidst Ghost Names Scandal

In a dramatic escalation of the ongoing National Service Scheme (NSS) ghost names scandal, the Ministry of Youth Development and Empowerment has announced the immediate suspension of the Central Management System (CMS) used by the National Service Authority (NSA) for posting and personnel management.

The directive, which was issued by the Office of the President, comes amid growing public concern and media scrutiny over how the CMS platform allegedly facilitated the fraudulent enlistment of thousands of non-existent service personnel, costing the nation hundreds of millions of cedis.

The press release from the Ministry, dated Tuesday, June 18, 2025, confirms that the CMS has been suspended "with immediate effect" to pave the way for a "comprehensive technical and forensic review of the platform."

This announcement comes on the heels of a detailed exposé by Sulemana Braimah, Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), who raised serious questions about the integrity and security of the digital infrastructure built and operated by Inpath Technologies Ghana Ltd.

Braimah pointed out that the service provider maintained full backend control over the CMS and was solely responsible for its operations, functionality, and data integrity. He questioned how NSS staff were able to register fake names—some without Ghana Cards, some using fake index numbers, and others even as old as 80 and 90 years—without any checks from the CMS operator.

Despite these alarming revelations, the current Director General of the NSA, Felix Gyamfi, has defended the platform, claiming the problem lies solely with rogue staff and not the technology itself. Braimah, however, highlighted that Gyamfi himself was a District Director within the NSS during the period when the alleged ghost names were entered into the system, casting doubt over the objectivity of his defense.

The Ministry’s release further assures the public, particularly service personnel, that contingency measures and alternative verification systems are being reviewed to ensure uninterrupted service delivery.

“We urge all National Service Persons and the general public to remain calm and cooperative with the relevant institutions to undertake the necessary actions to safeguard the integrity of the National Service Authority,” the Ministry stated.

As investigations begin into both the internal failings and the digital systems of the NSS, stakeholders are calling for transparency, accountability, and urgent reform to restore public trust in one of Ghana’s most important youth institutions.