The National Service Authority (NSA) has uncovered widespread irregularities within the national service enrollment process at three public tertiary institutions, leading to the arrest of 10 staff members and the suspension of thousands of suspected ghost names.
The affected institutions are the University for Development Studies (UDS), Ghana Communications Technology University (GCTU), and Akenten Appiah-Menka University of Skills Training and Entrepreneurial Development (AAMUSTED).
Arrests Follow Discovery of “Ghost Names”
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, December 15, 2025, NSA Director-General Dela Seddoh disclosed that the arrests followed investigations triggered by the rollout of a new centralized management system aimed at sanitizing the national service scheme.
“The investigations uncovered a number of serious irregularities being perpetuated in these institutions. Ten members of staff have been arrested and are under investigation by the security agencies,” she said.
Seddoh added that some staff of the National Service Authority itself have also been taken into custody as part of the ongoing probe.
Over 8,000 Flagged, 1,840 Suspended
According to the Director-General, the digital reforms have already exposed the scale of abuse within the system.
“We made shocking discoveries that resulted in the flagging of over 8,105 individuals, with 1,840 suspended pending further investigations by the security agencies,” she revealed.
She stressed that the NSA is committed to pursuing legal action against all individuals found culpable, warning that any attempt to compromise the new system would be met with severe sanctions.
“Cartels continue to attempt infiltration with ghost names, but we are determined to crack down and end this practice,” Seddoh stated.
National Service Portal Reopens for Final Week
As part of measures to ensure fairness and accessibility, the NSA announced that the national service registration portal will be reopened for one final week, from Monday, December 15 to Monday, December 22, 2025. An additional day, Saturday, December 20, has been included to accommodate more applicants.
Seddoh emphasized that after December 22, the portal will be permanently closed for the 2025/2026 service year, as preparations begin for the deployment of nurses later in December.
Warning to Institutions Rejecting Service Personnel
The Director-General also expressed concern over institutions that accept national service personnel but later reject them without valid justification. She cited a case where one ministry issued rejection letters to nearly 100 personnel on the final day of validation.
“Such last-minute frustrations undermine the spirit of the national program,” she said.
Seddoh warned that institutions rejecting service personnel without proper release letters and valid reasons will face punitive measures, including blacklisting from future postings.
Presidency Notified, Sanctions Loom
The NSA has formally written to the Office of the Presidency through its supervising ministry, insisting that all Ministries, Departments, Agencies (MDAs) and government institutions must honor their national service quotas.
She concluded with a strong warning that any institution or entity that fails to comply with NSA directives will face serious consequences, as the authority moves to restore integrity and credibility to Ghana’s national service scheme.
