The Member of Parliament for Gomoa Central, Kwame Asare Obeng, has openly admitted that he was contacted by an individual concerning the payroll fraud incident involving the National Service Scheme.

Detailing the circumstances, the lawmaker explained that the individual, whose identity he has not disclosed, approached him in November 2024.

He said the individual sought his assistance in clearing their name, insisting on their innocence regarding the National Service Scheme payroll fraud matter.

He further explained that he leveraged his influence as a media personality and a major shareholder at the time in a Ghanaian-owned media company to assist in clearing the individual’s name, through media engagements aimed at addressing the matter.

“The only time I came into contact with the issue was in November 2024, when a gentleman approached me claiming he was being falsely accused. As a media personality and majority shareholder in a Ghanaian media company (as declared in my asset declaration), he sought my assistance to help clear his name through media engagements.

"If this support is being misinterpreted as an attempt to suppress the case, I respectfully disagree. I firmly believe that every accused person deserves to be heard,” he said in a Facebook post on May 3, 2025.

A Plus also denied any involvement in the NSS ghost names scandal, as well as any connections with the National Service Secretariat, which had been suggested during a press conference by the Attorney General, Dr Dominic Akuritinga Ayine.

“At his press conference, Dr Ayine invited the media to question me about an alleged scandal involving the National Service Secretariat (NSS). In response, I wish to state unequivocally that I have no knowledge of the matter and no connection to it whatsoever. I have never received any payment from the NSS, nor do I have any business — directly or indirectly — with the Secretariat. I have never contacted anyone to suppress or influence the matter in any way,” he disclosed.

He added, “In the past, I have extended similar support to several government appointees who were prosecuted under the previous administration and were later exonerated or had their cases dropped by the current Attorney General. Everyone who has followed me closely knows that I will be there for you in times of despair.

“For example, I was one of the people who stood publicly with Cassiel Ato Forson because I know him to be a man of integrity and believed in his innocence from the very beginning. I do not believe there is anything wrong with supporting another individual to tell their side of a story—regardless of their political affiliation.”

A Plus further reaffirmed his dedication to accountability as a lawmaker and called on the Attorney General to publicly share any information that might contradict his assertions.

“These are the facts. If Dr Ayine holds any information to the contrary, I respectfully urge him to make it public. Transparency and accountability must be our shared responsibility as public servants,” he added.

Background

During a press conference on April 30, 2025, the Attorney General challenged A Plus to publicly address his alleged involvement in the National Service Scheme (NSS) ghost names scandal.

The challenge came after the Attorney General dismissed social media claims made by A Plus, which A Plus has since disassociated himself from, labeling them as false and baseless accusations of being 'corrupt' and 'a thief.'

“The media should ask him about the silly thing that I was about to do which frightened him so much into making that silly post about me.

“He should be asked what he knows about the National Service ghost names scandal and related matters. If he can give truthful answers, then Ghanaians would know why he took to social media to do what he did. But let him be warned that in my hometown, we do not fear mud thrown at us,” Dr Ayine said.

The Attorney General also stated that the lawmaker was using social media as a shield to make false accusations against him.

“What I have about him and the National Service scandal — he should come and say. I’m challenging him to come and tell the media and stop hiding behind social media to make baseless allegations against people who have worked hard to earn a reputation,” he added.



MAG/AE

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