The trial involving former National Service Authority Deputy Executive Director, Gifty Oware-Aboagye, continued on Thursday with a key prosecution witness denying responsibility for data used in the Authority’s controversial hire purchase arrangement with the Agricultural Development Bank.

Former Head of Accounts at the NSA, Eric Nyarko, told the court that he neither compiled nor approved the data submitted under the programme.

Appearing as the prosecution’s third witness, Mr. Nyarko testified during cross-examination that the information originated from the Authority’s Information Technology consultant, Samuel Korley, and was forwarded in line with directives from the accused.

Mr. Nyarko acknowledged signing the master agreement between the NSA and ADB as a witness, explaining that he did so in his official capacity as Head of Accounts.

He told the court that under the agreement, the Authority's role was to facilitate the recovery of loan repayments through deductions from the monthly allowances of National Service Personnel who participated in the scheme.

Recounting events leading to the arrangement, Mr. Nyarko said he attended a meeting in January 2023 where Ms. Oware-Aboagye informed him of plans to partner with ADB to provide goods to service personnel through a hire purchase facility.

According to him, he proposed the use of the Authority’s existing online marketplace, which already hosted vendors offering similar services. However, he said the accused maintained that the ADB initiative was a separate arrangement that would be backed by a list of interested personnel.

The witness further testified that Mr. Korley, who managed the Authority’s Central Management System, subsequently provided a list of personnel said to have signed up for the programme.

He told the court that on January 20, 2023, he received an electronic file containing the names of 6,623 service personnel purported to be interested in the offer, out of which he transmitted 5,890 names to Ms. Oware-Aboagye.

When questioned about whether he verified the authenticity of the beneficiaries, Mr. Nyarko said he relied on assurances that the system had adequate validation mechanisms and generated credible information.

He also confirmed that some instructions relating to the exercise were communicated through WhatsApp, describing the platform as a practical tool for transmitting large volumes of information.

Mr. Nyarko further revealed that a revised list later returned to him contained additional details, including items selected by beneficiaries, pricing information, monthly repayment amounts and loan durations.

The witness concluded his testimony by explaining why he later referred to some beneficiaries as "supposed" National Service Personnel.

According to him, investigators from the National Intelligence Bureau informed him during investigations that some names captured in standing orders he prepared were allegedly non-existent personnel who had nonetheless received payments.

The case has been adjourned for further hearing.