The National Service Personnel Association (NASPA) has welcomed Presidential Staffer Dr Michael Whyte Kpessa to his new post as Acting Executive Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) but warned him to “be very circumspect and beware of potential vampires” at the national secretariat.

A former university lecturer, Dr Kpessa was over the weekend named by President John Dramani Mahama to take charge of the Scheme as it undergoes investigations by the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI).

In a welcoming statement to Dr Kpessa, NASPA reminded him of the “severe mauling” the Scheme has suffered in recent times.

“NASPA is hopeful in its conviction that Dr. Kpessa with his track records and being a frontliner of youth activities will once again redeem the enviable image of the National Service Scheme whiles we humbly and fervently advise him to be very circumspect and BEWARE OF POTENTIAL VAMPIRES who may be within the Scheme.”

The statement signed by NASPA President Vincent Ekow Assafuah Jnr added: “We wish him all the best and ready to support him to make all Service Personnel see National Service as a call to duty rather than a curse.”

The Scheme was recently hit with a GH¢7.9 million scandal, leading to the suspension of Alhaji Alhassan Imoro, its Director, and the arrests of other district directors.

Reports about further revelations by the BNI suggest that the figure initially announced to be squandered by authorities at the Scheme may be higher.