The National Service Authority (NSA) has successfully reduced its annual payroll from approximately GH¢1.6 billion to GH¢700 million following the implementation of rigorous new verification systems.
This significant reduction was disclosed by the deputy director-general of the NSA, Lieutenant Colonel Moses Dok Nach Kpeungu, who noted that the authority has fortified its payment processes to ensure that allowances are only disbursed to duly verified personnel.
Speaking in an interview with Joy FM, Lieutenant Colonel Kpeungu explained that the new system is specifically designed to eliminate irregular payments, particularly those linked to “ghost names”, by enforcing stricter checks before any disbursements are made. He clarified that these substantial savings were not achieved by reducing the overall number of service personnel deployed across the country, but rather by tightening the controls surrounding how monthly allowances are processed.
Under the revised regime, every national service person must now undergo a mandatory monthly evaluation.
The process requires a formal endorsement from a supervisor at their specific place of posting before any payment can be approved.
He stressed that these measures reflect the NSA’s renewed commitment to fiscal discipline and ensuring maximum value for money in public spending.
“Previously, the payroll of the government was about 1.5 to 1.6 billion every year. As of last year, we paid barely about GH¢700 million,” he said.
In addition to the payroll reforms, the Deputy Director-General confirmed that the Authority has cleared the majority of arrears owed to service personnel.
At present, only the month of March remains outstanding, and he assured personnel that the necessary processes are already underway to settle these remaining payments.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
