President John Dramani Mahama has vowed to take decisive action against those linked to the National Service ‘ghost names’ scandal, which has drained millions from state coffers.

During his State of the Nation Address on Thursday, February 27, he announced that authorities have been directed to identify and seize the assets of individuals involved in the fraudulent scheme.

He further stressed that anyone who has fled the country will be pursued and held accountable to recover the misappropriated funds.

“As part of Operation Recover All Loot (ORAL), I have already tasked our investigative bodies to bring the culprits of the National Service ghost names to justice. Such brazen theft of public funds must not go unpunished. It is estimated that more than 80,000 ghost names could have yielded the suspects over GH¢50 million every month.

“Unfortunately some of these suspects have absconded the country already and I have directed that they be declared wanted and their assets traced and frozen until investigations are completed.”

A nationwide audit of the National Service Authority (NSA) exposed a widespread fraud scheme in which thousands of fictitious names were added to the payroll, diverting funds intended for legitimate National Service personnel.

Findings from the investigation pointed to the involvement of senior officials within the NSS, district heads, and payroll managers, who collaborated to fabricate personnel records and unlawfully collect salaries for individuals who did not exist.