Audit public sector payroll – Papa Owusu-Ankomah counsels gov’t

Opposition lawmaker Papa Owusu-Ankomah has called on government to as a matter of urgency “investigate” the public sector payroll to rid it of any malfeasance.

His call comes on the heels of the massive fraud uncovered at the National Service Scheme.

An investigation by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI) into the activities of the NSS revealed that 22,612 non-existent national service persons in more than 100 districts across the country in July had each been paid an allowance of Ghc350 a month amounting to Ghc7.9 million.

Further revelations have shown that in an attempt to cover up the scam, officials of the NSS, including the Executive Director of the Scheme, Alhaji Imoro, offered bribes to the BNI officials.

He, together with the other NSS officials indicted in the scandal, have since been asked to step aside by the Governing Board of the Ghana National Service Scheme.

Speaking to Citi FM, Friday, the MP for Sekondi said “The Payroll must be investigated. It must be investigated comprehensively”.

He alleged that some bankers may be involved in the scandal.

“You can’t withdraw these monies without the knowledge of the bankers in the bank. Government must think out of the box. There should be a thorough investigations into all public sector payroll”.