NSS Scandal: Schemes were developed to fleece service personnel – MFWA boss Sulemana Braimah

The Executive Director of the Media Foundation for West Africa (MFWA), Sulemana Braimah, has accused the Akufo-Addo administration of failing to ensure the effective management of the National Service Scheme (NSS), citing systemic inefficiencies and financial exploitation of personnel.

Speaking on Joy FM’s PM Express on Wednesday, February 12, Mr Braimah alleged that under the previous government, schemes were deliberately created to siphon funds from service personnel through unauthorized deductions.

Allegations of Financial Exploitation

According to Mr Braimah, one such scheme, called marketplaces, was used as a tool to deduct money from service personnel without their consent.

“There were schemes developed to basically fleece service personnel of the little that was coming to them,” he stated.

He claimed that personnel were charged for services or products they never subscribed to or received.

“People who never purchased anything had their monies deducted. It was simply a way to take money from them under false pretences,” he alleged.

Concerns Over Payment System

Mr Braimah also raised concerns about the integrity of the NSS payment system, questioning whether the Ghana Integrated Financial Management Information System (GIFMIS) had been manipulated to facilitate these deductions.

“I think we need to look into the payment system because, as far as I know, payments were being made through GIFMIS. So to what extent was the GIFMIS system bypassed or sometimes outwitted? These are critical questions we need answers to,” he stated.

Abandoned Projects and Systemic Inefficiencies

Beyond financial deductions, Mr Braimah pointed to several projects under the NSS that were left unfinished despite significant funds being allocated.

“There are a number of projects that have been abandoned after monies have been spent. That is part of the problem,” he noted.

He emphasized that a lack of commitment from the previous administration worsened these issues, making it difficult for the scheme to serve its intended purpose.

“I think that we just need leadership that is truly committed to ensuring that the system works. The previous administration, I don’t think had that commitment,” he added.

Calls for Accountability

Mr. Braimah’s comments add to growing concerns about financial mismanagement within the NSS. His allegations suggest that instead of supporting young graduates, the scheme was exploited for financial gain.

He called for a thorough investigation into the unauthorized deductions, abandoned projects, and possible breaches in the payment system to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of the National Service Scheme.