Mustapha Ussif
Former Executive Director of the National Service Scheme(NSS) and the current Member of Parliament for Yagaba-Kubori, Mustapha Ussif, has denied any wrongdoing during his era as the head of NSS.
The Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Dr. Dominic Ayine, on Friday, June 13, at a press conference provided an update on the ongoing investigations by Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) into financial malfeasance at the National Service Authority (NSA).
The Former Minister for Youth and Sports, along with eleven other former officials from the National Service Scheme (NSS) were accused for their involvement in a massive payroll fraud scheme that led to the loss of over GHC 548 million to ghost names over six service years.
But in a statement issued on Friday, June 13, Mr. Ussif said he was aware of the Attorney General’s press conference announcing upcoming prosecutions but maintained that he served with “diligence and honesty” during 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 said. “Therefore, I wish to state that I am ready, willing, and able to account for my stewardship at the National Service Scheme.”
He stated that he welcomed any opportunity to do so, including having his day in court, and called for calm from his supporters and constituents.
Dr. Ayine disclosed that investigations had been concluded into what he described as “a well-organised network of corruption” within the Authority. He confirmed that prosecution dockets are being finalised.
Among those listed for prosecution are several high-profile former officials of the National Service Authority, including:
- 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 for 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 Regional Office
The scandal, which dates back several years, involves allegations of ghost names, double postings, and manipulation of deployment data across various NSA district offices.