As part of the National Service Scheme (NSS), President John Mahama has stated that his administration will soon implement brief military training. He claims that the purpose of this initiative is to instill a sense of fitness and discipline in members of the national service as they serve their country. President Mahama stated in his State of the Nation Address (SONA) on Thursday, February 26: As part of our National Service Scheme, we will offer brief military training. Our children will gain a sense of fitness and discipline from this. The administration of scholarships is another challenge, as it has been fraught with numerous issues.
In his address, the President also spoke about the ongoing investigation into the ghost name scandal involving former directors of the National Service Authority (NSA), which is being handled by the National Investigative Bureau (NIB).
As part of the Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL) policy, he has directed an immediate investigation to bring those responsible to justice, describing the scandal as a brazen theft of state resources.
Mr. Speaker, as part of our policy titled “Operation Recover All Loot,” I have already given authority to our investigation teams to ensure that those responsible for the National Service ghost name scandal are apprehended. Such blatant theft of public funds must not go unpunished.
He further confirmed reports that some suspects have fled the country and stated that he has ordered their assets to be frozen.
It is estimated that the fraudulent addition of over 80,000 ghost names could have earned the perpetrators more than 50 million Ghana cedis every month. Unfortunately, some of these suspects are believed to have absconded. I have directed that they be declared wanted and their assets traced and frozen.
In addition, the President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to addressing Ghana’s high unemployment rate by providing youth in the country with employment opportunities.