Mahama orders arrest, asset freeze of NSS ghost-name scandal suspects

By Deborah Asantewaah SARFO

John Dramani Mahama has directed authorities to declare culprits of the National Service Scheme (NSS) ghost-name scandal wanted, as some of them are believed to have left the country following investigations by the Fourth Estate.

Additionally, he has asked that their assests be frozen until investigations are completed.

President Mahama gave this directive in parliament during his maiden State of the Nations of Address, saying: “I have directed that they be declared wanted and their assets traced and frozen until investigations are completed”.

According to the president, it is estimated that at some point the criminal addition of more than 80,000 ghost-names could have yielded the suspects over GH¢50million a month.

This directive by the president forms part of government’s Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) policy, adding that “such brazen theft of public funds must be stopped and punished”.

In ensuring the attainment of a robust regime to govern the NSS, President Mahama has asked the Minister for Youth Development and Empowerment to “coordinate and present to parliament a Legislative Instrument (LI) to support implementation of the newly passed National Service Authority Act 2024 (Act 1119)”.

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