The Deputy Attorney General has revealed that investigators probing ghost names in the National Service Scheme (NSS) have submitted a damning report identifying 22 individuals responsible for the alleged theft of over GH¢560 million.

Dr Justice Srem Sai, speaking on JoyNews’ PM Express on Wednesday, disclosed that this is just one part of a broader investigation into financial irregularities at the Scheme.

“National Service is in different aspects,” he explained. “There’s an aspect of the projects the secretariat undertakes. They have farms where they acquire property, grow and sell produce. Then there’s the issue of paying ghost National Service persons.”

The investigators, he said, have so far only completed their work on the ghost names.

“It was submitted last week by the investigators. We have started building a docket on that.”

That specific report, he confirmed, implicates 22 individuals. “When the investigators came, they identified 22 accused persons for the ghost names part.”

The total amount of money involved is staggering. “We are talking about over GHS560 million. That’s what we are looking at from the 22 individuals that investigators believe were responsible for, if you like, alleged loot.”

But even as the prosecution team begins work on the docket, Dr Srem Sai revealed that not all those accused may end up in court.

“You have to weigh the cost in terms of time, effort of bringing all these people to court, and the benefit you get of retrieving the money,” he said.

Some of the suspects, he added, have already shown a willingness to cooperate.

“A lot of them — only a few are not willing — but a lot of them are willing to return the money.”

Furthermore, some are offering to become prosecution witnesses. “Some of them have shown a desire to return the money and to serve as what, prosecution witnesses against the rest.”

This means the number of people eventually charged will likely drop.

“Before we go to court, the number will not be 22. It will come down, because we are still having a conversation with these people.”

He also confirmed that plea bargaining is on the table for some of the accused.

“After we charge them, they also have an opportunity to do what we call plea bargaining. To come and say, ‘Well, we are guilty. But instead of sending us to prison for this number of years, you can come down to this, and we return this amount of money.’”

Dr Srem Sai said these talks allow the accused to make a case for leniency in exchange for money and testimony.

“They give us the reasons why we should not go with them through the entire process.”

He emphasised that the ghost names investigation is only one part of a larger set of probes. More reports are expected on other schemes run by the National Service Secretariat.

For now, though, the focus is on securing recovery and ensuring justice, one conversation at a time, he stated.

myjoyonline.com

The Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi was the scene of an unusual and alarming incident on Tuesday, June 10, 2025, when unknown individuals, believed to be national security operatives, sealed off the office of the Human Resource Manager with chains and padlocks, effectively preventing access. This brazen act has sparked shock and confusion among hospital staff and has prompted a joint investigation by security agencies.

A video widely shared by Joy FM and subsequently sighted by GhanaWeb on X (formerly Twitter) depicted the aftermath of the incident. In the footage, Anthony Kofi Oduro, the HR Manager, is seen reacting to the discovery of his office sealed off upon his return from a meeting on Tuesday. Adding to the mystery, various warning tags were left conspicuously on the door, bearing cryptic and accusatory messages.

Some of the stark messages visible in the video read: “Workers are working under a toxic environment, withdraw your service now or face our wrath,” “Tony must go,” and “KATH workers deserve better.” These messages strongly suggest internal grievances or protests from within the hospital’s workforce, directed specifically at the Human Resource Manager, Anthony Kofi Oduro, and hinting at broader dissatisfaction with working conditions at KATH. The use of such overt, public-facing warnings indicates a deliberate attempt to draw attention to perceived injustices or mismanagement.

The video also showed the process of restoring access to the sealed office. Security personnel, alongside officers from the Ghana Police Service and the Regional Security Liaison, were present to supervise the removal of the chains and padlocks. This immediate response from official security bodies underscores the seriousness with which the incident was viewed, particularly given the implications of unauthorized access to a critical institution like a major teaching hospital.

Denial of Authorization and Ongoing Investigation

In the immediate aftermath, the Deputy Regional Security Coordinator, Alhaji Nje Abdullah Omar, who is reportedly aware of the incident, swiftly denied any official authorization for the act. Speaking on the matter, he clarified, “We don’t have any idea about it. Captain Jabari [Regional Security Coordinator] says we have not sanctioned anyone to come and do what just happened.” This outright denial from a senior security official suggests that if the perpetrators were indeed national security operatives, they were acting without official clearance or were misrepresenting their authority. It also raises questions about potential rogue elements or external actors attempting to destabilize operations at the hospital.

Alhaji Omar further assured the public that a joint investigation involving both the Regional Security Coordinator’s office and the police was already underway. The primary objective of this investigation is to identify the individuals responsible for the act and ascertain their motives. The gravity of the situation necessitates a thorough inquiry to prevent future occurrences and address any underlying issues that may have triggered such an extreme protest.

The incident has undeniably caused considerable shock and confusion among the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital staff. Workers were left stranded and uncertain, grappling with the immediate disruption and the deeper implications of such a bold and public display of discontent. The questions swirling among staff revolved around the exact motive behind the attack and whether it stemmed from internal disputes or external pressures.

Alhaji Nje Abdullah Omar acknowledged this uncertainty, stating, “We cannot justify if this is an internal matter, but the investigation will determine. The HR wasn’t around when they came to lock up the office, so he was shocked, and I have calmed him down.” This statement indicates that while internal grievances are suspected, security agencies are keeping an open mind about the possible external factors or unknown actors involved. The HR Manager’s shock and the need for him to be “calmed down” further highlight the distressing nature of the event for those directly affected. The incident at KATH serves as a stark reminder of the complexities of industrial relations and security challenges within critical public institutions. The outcome of the ongoing investigation will be crucial in shedding light on the true perpetrators and the grievances that led to this unprecedented act.

Watch the video below:

The office of the Human Resources Manager at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) was locked with chains and padlocks by unknown persons under the guise of national security operatives.#JoyNews pic.twitter.com/wBOAjmBgqu

— Joy 99.7 FM (@Joy997FM) June 10, 2025

thepressradio.com

A large snake caused a temporary power outage in Kwaso, Ejisu Municipality, Ashanti Region, on Wednesday, June 11, 2025. This unusual incident has prompted the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) to significantly step up its efforts to safeguard the power grid from interference by wildlife.

The reptile made contact with the Akyawkrom 2 feeder, causing it to trip and interrupt electricity supply to several areas within the municipality. The incident underscores the unexpected challenges faced by utility providers, particularly in regions where human settlements meet natural habitats.

In response to the disruption, the ECG’s Sub-Transmission Line Maintenance Team initiated a rapid response. Their swift action ensured that power was fully restored to both the Akyawkrom 1 and 2 interconnectors by 3:39 p.m. on the same day. This quick resolution minimized the inconvenience to affected residents and businesses.

ECG officials acknowledged the prompt restoration of service but highlighted that such occurrences emphasize the ongoing difficulties in maintaining grid stability. Wildlife encroachment, especially in areas with dense vegetation and at the interface of rural and urban developments, presents a unique operational challenge. These incidents can lead to unforeseen outages and strain the resources of maintenance teams. As a result, the ECG is now focusing on implementing more robust protective measures to mitigate future similar events and ensure a more reliable power supply for communities like Kwaso.

thepressradio.com