A former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware Mensah, has entered a plea of not guilty to allegations of causing a financial loss exceeding GH¢38 million to the state.
Mrs. Oware Mensah appeared in the Accra High Court on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, where she faced formal charges comprising five counts—including willfully causing financial loss to the state, theft, money laundering, and the misuse of public office for personal gain.
Prosecutors assert that during her time in office, the accused created approximately 9,934 fictitious National Service personnel and unlawfully profited from the monthly allowances allocated to these ghost names.
The alleged offenses are reported to have led to financial losses exceeding GH¢38 million for the government.
This case is part of ongoing initiatives by state authorities to address administrative and financial irregularities within public institutions, particularly those related to payroll fraud and ghost name schemes.
Bail Granted
Her attorney, Nanabayin Ackon, in a bail application, contended that his client was a responsible public servant with a permanent residence and no intention of obstructing investigations. He asserted that Mrs. Oware Mensah had fully cooperated with investigators and posed no flight risk.
After reviewing the application, the court granted bail in the amount of GH¢10 million, requiring three sureties, two of whom must be justified.
As part of the bail conditions, the court ordered Mrs. Oware Mensah to surrender all her passports to the court’s registry and to report to the police on the first Tuesday and Thursday of each month until the resolution of the case.
The prosecution is anticipated to file and serve all witness statements and evidentiary documents prior to the next hearing date. The case has been postponed to November 18, 2025, for case management.
