NSS asked to account for over 1.3 million cedis

The Auditor General’s 2012 report has cited authorities at the Ghana National Service Secretariat of several acts of misappropriation including the payment of over 1.3 million cedis without proper documentation. The authorities have therefore been asked to produce documents to cover the payment of over 1.3 million cedis or prepare to refund the amount. It was also found that the NSS had overpaid 49,000 in personal allowances. The Auditor-General’s report which is before Parliament will be referred to the Public Accounts Committee where the MPs will invite officials to answer the allegations leveled against them. The report also revealed that imprest amounting to 409,000 given to members of staff to run programmes could not be accounted for. The litany of allegations continues with the secretariat being cited for breaking procurement rules after it awarded a 30,000 dollar contract for the printing of T-shirts without opening to tender. The Auditor-General is questioning the secretariat’s why they decided to adopt sole sourcing in the purchase of goods and services. The National Service Secretariat is responsible for posting tertiary graduates to do a compulsory one-year service required of all citizens of Ghana who are 18 years and above. The program which began in 1973 is to encourage communal service and a spirit of volunteerism among Ghana’s youths. This year, about 71,189 graduates have been deployed nationwide to undertake their national service.

Source:Myjoyonline.com