Former National Service Authority boss Osei Assibey Antwi has pleaded not guilty to 21 charges in the ongoing ghost names scandal that prosecutors say caused a financial loss of more than GH¢431.8 million to the state.
The charges, which were amended after the completion of an Auditor General investigation into the National Service scheme, were increased from 14 to 21 counts when the case returned to court.
They include six counts of causing financial loss to the Republic, nine counts of stealing and money laundering, and five counts of improper payment of public funds.
Mr Assibey Antwi earlier pleaded not guilty to 14 charges when the case first came before the court in October last year and was granted bail.
When the case was called again, the court presided over by Justice Kizita Naa Koowa Quarshie ordered him to remain on the same bail conditions granted in December.
The prosecution, led by Director of Public Prosecutions Yvonne Attakora Obuobisa, did not oppose the continuation of bail requested by defence lawyers led by Ralph Opoku Adusei.
The court directed prosecutors to file disclosures and witness statements ahead of the next stage of the trial. The case has been adjourned to April 13 for a Case Management Conference.
Mr Assibey Antwi has already satisfied his bail conditions.
Alleged ghost names scheme
According to investigators, the case centres on alleged irregularities within the National Service Authority, which deploys graduates from tertiary institutions to serve in various sectors of the economy.
As Executive Director of the authority from September 2021 until January 2025, Mr Assibey Antwi was responsible for the day to day administration of the organisation and served as the principal spending officer.
Prosecutors say he authorised the submission of lists of national service personnel to the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems for the payment of monthly allowances.
Investigations by the National Intelligence Bureau later uncovered thousands of questionable entries in those lists.
Analysts who reviewed payment records from 2018 to 2024 reportedly identified about 63,672 unverified registrants who had been submitted for payment either as service personnel or as vendors.
Prosecutors say that between August 2021 and February 2025, a total of GH¢431,761,556.76 was paid out as allowances to unverified individuals and others who allegedly did not perform any national service work.
Vendor payments and e-zwich account
Investigators also say some marketplace vendors received payments even though they had not provided goods or services to service personnel.
Some of the vendors reportedly told investigators they later refunded the money in cash to Mr Assibey Antwi.
The prosecution further alleges that in 2022 the former director acquired an e-zwich card linked to an account of the National Service Authority at the Agricultural Development Bank.
The card was reportedly registered in his name using his biometric details.
Between 2022 and 2024, prosecutors say the card received GH¢8.256 million from funds meant for national service allowances.
They also claim he failed to disclose the existence of the card when handing over to his successor.
Discovery during search
Mr Assibey Antwi initially denied having any such card when he was questioned by investigators.
However, prosecutors say a search conducted at his residence at Dome on March 25, 2025 found the e-zwich card in a bedside drawer in the presence of his lawyer.
Further checks at the bank allegedly showed that withdrawals had been made personally by him.
Kumawu farm project
Investigators also say that between August 2022 and June 2024, more than GH¢106 million was transferred from the authority’s control account to a project account for the Kumawu Farm Project.
Contracts were awarded for activities such as clearing farmland and installing irrigation systems.
However, prosecutors say the state did not receive value for much of the work done, leading to an estimated loss of about GH¢61.29 million.
Based on these findings, the state has brought the 21 criminal charges against the former National Service Authority director as the case moves toward trial.
