NSA Trial: Charges amended against Assibey Antwi, new counts added

The state has filed an amended charge sheet in the criminal case against former Executive Director of the National Service Authority, Osei Assibey Antwi, expanding the number of charges and revising key particulars of the alleged offences.

The updated charge sheet, filed in 2026, increases the number of counts against Mr. Assibey Antwi to 21, up from 14 in the 2025 filing.

The former Executive Director pleaded not guilty to all counts.

Revised Financial Loss

A major revision involves the principal charge of causing financial loss to the state.

The initial charge alleged that Mr. Assibey Antwi authorised payments totaling GH¢500,861,744.02 to more than 60,000 alleged ghost national service personnel.

The amended charge reduces the alleged financial loss to GH¢431,761,556.76.

The particulars now state that funds were authorised for payment to “non-service personnel and unverified individuals,” rather than “over 60,000 ghost names.”

Investigations by the National Intelligence Bureau reportedly revealed that 63,672 unverified registrants were submitted to the payment system between 2018 and 2024 for service allowances or vendor payments.

Between August 2021 and February 2025, the NSA allegedly disbursed GH¢431,761,556.76 to individuals who had not undertaken national service or whose identities could not be verified.

Role of the Accused

Prosecutors say Mr. Assibey Antwi, who served as NSA Executive Director from September 2021 to January 2025, authorised personnel lists submitted to the Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement Systems Limited for the payment of monthly allowances.

As principal spending officer, he oversaw day-to-day operations and was a signatory to NSA accounts.

The NSA system processes payments to validated personnel and marketplace vendors providing goods or credit services, with deductions made from personnel allowances.

Alleged Transfers to Personal e-Zwich Card

Several counts in the amended charge sheet allege that funds meant for service personnel allowances were transferred to an e-zwich card registered in the name of Mr. Assibey Antwi.

Investigators say that between 2022 and 2024, the card received GH¢8,256,000.

The accused allegedly failed to disclose the card during the handover of office, denied its existence during interrogation, but it was later recovered during a search at his residence in Dome on March 25, 2025. Further checks reportedly showed that he personally withdrew funds from the card.

Vendor Payments and Alleged Refunds

The prosecution also claims that payments were made to vendors under the NSA marketplace system without services being rendered, with some vendors allegedly refunding money directly to Mr.

Assibey Antwi in cash rather than to the Authority. One cited example involves GH¢7,704,880.92 paid to Direct Savings and Loans, despite no services being provided.

New Charges Over Kumawu Farm Project

Additional counts relate to the Sekyere-Kumawu Economic Enclave (Farm) Project.

Between August 2022 and June 2024, GH¢106 million was transferred from the NSA Control Account to a project account. Contracts for land clearing and irrigation development were awarded, but prosecutors say the Authority did not obtain value for money, resulting in an estimated loss of GH¢61,289,843.30.

Some new counts accuse the former Executive Director of improper payment of public funds under the Public Financial Management Act, 2016 (Act 921), while others maintain allegations of stealing, causing financial loss to the Republic, and money laundering.

Mr.

Assibey Antwi was granted bail under his existing conditions. The case has been adjourned to April 13, 2026, for a case management conference.

Source: CitiNewsRoom