President John Dramani Mahama has directed a crackdown on individuals involved in the National Service ‘ghost names’ scandal.
“Mr Speaker, as part of our Operation Recover All Loot policy, I have already tasked our investigative bodies to bring the culprits of the National Service ghost names scandal to justice. Such brazen theft of public funds must be stopped and punished,” President Mahama stated.
He added that his commitment to the fight against corruption was unwavering.
President Mahama made this known in Parliament, Accra, yesterday when he delivered his maiden message on the state of the nation since assuming political power in January.
President Mahama said 80,000 names on the books of the National Service Authority do not exist but payments amounting to approximately GH¢50 million a month have been made to the non-existent personnel over the years.
The National Investigations Bureau earlier this week had questioned two former officers of the Authority – a Deputy Director and accountant – over their involvement in the scandal.
“Unfortunately, some of the suspects are believed to have absconded from the country. I have directed that they be declared wanted and their assets traced and frozen until investigations are completed,” the President told lawmakers.
As part of measures to achieve a legally robust regime to govern National Service and stop the leakage, President Mahama said the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment has been tasked to coordinate and present to Parliament a Legislative Instrument (LI) to support the implementation of the newly passed National Service Authority Act 2024 (Act 1119).
“We will introduce short military training as part of our national service scheme. This will instill a sense of fitness and discipline into our youth,” he disclosed.
According to him, that commitment informed the establishment of the Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa-led Operation Recover All Loot Committee.
“The recent arrests related to the unwarranted payment of two million US dollars in the sky train saga and the National Service ghost names scandal mark only the beginning of a comprehensive response based on the ORAL Committee’s findings,” he said.
The commitment to fighting the canker of corruption, President Mahama emphasized would continue with the establishment of a unit at the presidency where complaints and reports regarding graft and corruption would continue to be received and transferred to the office of the Attorney General.
He hinted that a bill would soon be submitted to Parliament for consideration to regulate and restrict the sale or disposal of public and state assets.
“As soon as the 2025 Budget is approved, my government will immediately take steps to reform the existing anti-corruption agencies, increase funding, and improve transparency and accountability.
“Mr Speaker, Ghanaians voted largely and overwhelmingly to endorse the NDC because we demonstrated a strong commitment and abhorrence for corruption. We pledged to fight corruption and implement far-reaching reforms that will eventually achieve a sustainable zero-tolerance policy against corruption.”
STORIES BY JULIUS YAO PETETSI
