Lawyer Henry Nana Boakye, National Youth Organizer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), has threatened to sue investigative journalism organization, The Fourth Estate, over their report on the NSS scandal.
According to Nana Boakye, The Fourth Estate’s investigation was reckless and defamatory. He claimed that the organization only focused on the entry point of the NSS system and concluded that there were ghost names on the payroll without verifying their findings with the NSS.
Speaking on the wontumi TV Morning Show, Lawyer Nana Boakye explained that the NSS system is designed to prevent fraudulent activities. He stated that even after being posted, national service personnel must undergo biometric verification at the regional and district levels. Moreover, payments are made through a biometric system approved by the Bank of Ghana, ensuring that only legitimate personnel receive payment.
Lawyer Boakye admitted that some individuals, including aged persons and foreigners, may have found their way into the system. However, he described them as scammers who won’t be paid due to the secure payment system.
Nana Boakye criticized The Fourth Estate for not reaching out to the NSS to verify their findings before publishing their report. He accused the organization of sensationalism and reckless journalism, threatening to take legal action against them.
The Fourth Estate’s investigation had revealed that tens of thousands of ghost names were allegedly added to the NSS payroll, despite the integration of the Ghana Card, which was meant to eliminate such irregularities.
The NSS ghost names scandal has sparked widespread outrage, with many calling for accountability and transparency. The development has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the NSS system and the government’s efforts to tackle corruption.
