Former National Service boss Mustapha Ussif implicated in Gh₵548m scandal for alleged payroll fraud

The Attorney-General has named Mustapha Ussif, a former Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA) and the MP for Yagaba Kubori, as a key figure in the massive Gh₵548 million fraud scandal, citing his alleged oversight of systemic payroll manipulation during his tenure from 2017 to 2021.

At a press briefing today in Accra, the A-G Dominic Ayine said investigators found that under Yussif’s leadership, the NSA’s payroll system was allegedly compromised, allowing ghost names to be added and paid through the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems (GHIPSS). 

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The AG’s stated that Ussif, as the then-head of the NSA, authorised the transmission of falsified payroll data, enabling the payment of allowances to non-existent personnel.

"Without their explicit authority, nothing was possible," the A-G emphasised, noting that Ussif’s approval was critical in the fraudulent transactions.

The scheme reportedly escalated after Ussif’s departure, with losses peaking at Gh₵350 million in 2022/2023. 

However, investigators traced the origins of the fraud to his tenure, where initial gaps in oversight allowed later directors to expand the scam.

According to the A-G, Ussif is one of 12 suspects who worked as directors and staff of the NSA who will face charges, including;

- Stealing, contrary to section 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29)

- Conspiracy to steal contrary to sections 23(1) and 124(1) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29)

- Willfully Causing Financial Loss to the State, contrary to section 179A(3)(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29)

- Using Public Office for Profit contrary to section 179C(a) of the Criminal Offences Act, 1960, (Act 29)

- Obtaining public property by false statements, contrary to Section 5 of the Public Property Protection Act, 1977 (SMCD 140).

- Money laundering contrary to Section 1(2) (c) of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).

- Conspiracy to commit money laundering contrary to Section 3 of the Anti-Money Laundering Act, 2020 (Act 1044).

Ussif later served as the Minister of Youth and Sports from 2021 to  2024.