Dr Dominic Ayine, the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, has revealed that the National Service ghost names scandal now stands at GHC2.2 billion and not GHC548 million.
According to the Attorney General, following a forensic audit by the Auditor-General, a new figure of GHC2.2 billion has been uncovered to be the amount of money stolen.
He revealed that, per this new information, the charge sheet against the suspects will be amended for fresh charges to be brought against these suspects.
Speaking at the press briefing on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Dr Dominic Ayine added, “ I wish to announce that the Auditor-General has conducted a forensic audit into the National Service scandal, and the total amount of money stolen or illegally spent now stands at GHC2.2 billion and not the GHC548 million that was uncovered by my investigators as at June 2025.
I have here a copy of the Auditor-General’s report. We are going to base upon this in some cases and amend our charge sheet in other to bring fresh charges,” he stated.
The Attorney General further revealed investigations are still ongoing in respect to the All African Games, Mathematical sets contract, Bank of Ghana new building, stadia renovation and the National Cathedral project.
“In the case of the National Cathedral, we have requested that the Auditor-General should conduct another forensic audit, and he is being helped by one of the big four accounting companies,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, in court, Gifty Oware-Mensah, the former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), has been granted a GH¢10 million bail by the Accra High Court.
In court, Gifty Oware-Mensah pleaded not guilty to five charges levelled against her by the Attorney General.
The former NSA Deputy Executive Director pleaded not guilty to five charges, including stealing and money laundering, in the ₵38 million ghost names scandal.
She made her court appearance at the Accra High Court on Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
John Boadu, a Former NPP General Secretary, was captured in a video at the court, seated next to Gifty Oware-Mensah.
Gifty Oware-Mensah was granted a GH¢10 million bail with three sureties in connection with the NSA ghost names scandal.
As part of her bail conditions, Gifty Oware-Mensah has been ordered to deposit all her passports and has been placed on a stop list at all entry and exit points in the country.
The case has been adjourned to November 25, 2025.
Meanwhile, the High Court in Accra had earlier adjourned proceedings in the cases involving the former Director-General of the National Service Authority (NSA), Osei Assibey Antwi, and his deputy, Gifty Oware-Mensah.
The court decision follows the two suspects’ failure to show up in court.
However, the former Director-General, Osei Asibey Antwi lawyer appeared before the High Court today, informing the court that his client had been instructed to report to police investigators in Kumasi.
The lawyer further revealed that the defence team had not yet been served with a charge sheet.
The High Court then directed that the charge sheet and hearing notices be served to the accused, after which the case would be recalled for hearing.
Hearing Gifty Oware-Mensah was also adjourned after lawyers informed the court she had submitted a two-day medical excuse for duty.