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Tag: Gifty Oware-Mensah

  • Fmr. Dep. NSA Director, Oware-Mensah, used NSP allowance as collateral for GHC30m ABD loan – A-G

    Fmr. Dep. NSA Director, Oware-Mensah, used NSP allowance as collateral for GHC30m ABD loan – A-G

    Attorney-General and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has revealed that in its investigations into the National Service Authority (NSA) scandal, it was discovered the authority’s former Deputy Executive Director, Gifty Oware-Mensah, managed to access a GH¢30,698,218.69 loan by using the service allowance as collateral.

    The loan was provided by the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) at an interest rate of twenty-three percent (23%).

    Engaging the press today, the Attorney-General said, “Some directors, such as Gifty Oware-Mensah, created and executed a meticulously detailed plan, using NSP allowances as security to obtain a loan of thirty million six hundred and ninety-eight thousand, two hundred and eighteen cedis, sixty-nine pesewas (GH¢30,698,218.69) from the Agricultural Development Bank (ADB) at an interest rate of twenty-three percent (23%).”

    The company “Blocks of Life Consult” is said to have been used by her as well as the identities of individuals without their knowledge, and presented it to ADB through a middleman, Maxwell Akwesi Ofori-Mintah.

    “Her husband, Peter Mensah, a lawyer, acted as one of the company’s representatives. She told ADB the company specialised in supplying home appliances to National Service personnel on a hire-purchase basis, to be repaid via deductions managed by the NSA,” Dr. Ayine said.

    According to the A-G, the former Deputy Executive Director used 9,934 ghost names to divert funds over the 2022/2023 and 2023/2024 service years.

    Following the collection of the loan, the funds are said to have been transferred to four company accounts: AMAECOM, Scafold, OTCHEY, and Aristo Logistics and Trading.

    She transferred GH¢22,925,518.69 to AMAECOM (a company she is a director of), GH¢1,000,000.00 to Scafold (linked to Abraham Gaisie),GH¢1,572,700.00 to OTCHEY, and GH¢5,200,000.00 to Aristo Logistics and Trading.

    The A-G has revealed the identities of 10 out of 12 individuals who will be charged and prosecuted for the financial scandal at the National Service Authority (NSA).

    The individuals set to be charged include Mustapha Ussif, a former Executive Director, Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director; Osei Assibey Antwi, former Director General;Kwaku Ohene Gyan, former Deputy Executive Director for Operations.

    The others are Abraham Bismarck Gaise, former Internal Auditor; Kwaku Adjei, an Account Officer;Iddrisu Abubakar, former Head of Accounts; Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, former Regional Director for Koforidua; Prince Awuku, a District Director; and Jacob Yawson, Management Information Systems Administrator in the Northern Region.

    The remaining two suspects have not been revealed by the A-G as they are yet to be formally identified.

    A whopping GHC548,333,542.65 was lost to the criminal enterprise perpetrated by executives, directors, and staff at the National Service Authority (NSA).

    Providing a breakdown during a press briefing, the A-G stated that “In the 2022/2023 service year, 350,926,977.12 was lost to the state. For the 2023/2024 service year, 32,881, 157.07 was lost to the republic.”

    He further added, “The criminal enterprise that resulted in the loss of this colossal loss of sum of money involved the creation of ghost names in the NSA payroll system by some directors and staff, which was subsequently exploited to misappropriate state funds for their gain.”

    Former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah, was released by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) after being questioned in connection with an ongoing probe into the ghost names scandal at the NSA in March.

    Gifty Oware-Mensah was arrested on March 7,  following her return to Ghana on March 5 after being named a suspect in  ongoing probe into a ghost-name scandal after the release of an investigation by The Fourth Estate.

    The Fourth Estate’s investigation has exposed major payroll irregularities, including the fraudulent use of “ghost names” to inflate the payroll and divert funds. It revealed that officials bypassed mandatory validation processes, enabling thousands of nonexistent individuals to be added to the payroll. 

    In some cases, names were duplicated multiple times, with one appearing as many as 226 times. Among the falsely listed beneficiaries was a 72-year-old Kenyan, Kwame Donkor, along with other foreign nationals.

    Investigators identified 81,885 “ghost” names used to siphon state resources.

    Consequently, President John Dramani Mahama, in his first State of the Nation Address, directed law enforcement agencies to take firm action against those implicated.

    This has led to intensified investigations and a series of arrests. Aside from Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Director of Operations at NSA,  Kwaku Ohene Gyan was arrested on February 22, and subsequently released.

  • Mustapha Ussif, Gifty Oware-Mensah, 10 others to be charged for NSA scandal

    Mustapha Ussif, Gifty Oware-Mensah, 10 others to be charged for NSA scandal

    Attorney-General (A-G) and Minister for Justice, Dr Dominic Ayine, has revealed the identities of 10 out of 12 individuals who will be charged and prosecuted for the financial scandal at the National Service Authority (NSA).

    The individuals set to be charged, according to Dr Ayine, during a press briefing today include:Mustapha Ussif, a former Executive Director, Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director; Osei Assibey Antwi, former Director General;Kwaku Ohene Gyan, former Deputy Executive Director for Operations.

    The others are Abraham Bismarck Gaise, former Internal Auditor; Kwaku Adjei, an Account Officer;Iddrisu Abubakar, former Head of Accounts; Stephen Kwabena Gyamfi, former Regional Director for Koforidua; Prince Awuku, a District Director; and Jacob Yawson, Management Information Systems Administrator in the Northern Region.

    The remaining two suspects have not been revealed by the A-G as they are yet to be formally identified.

    A whopping GHC548,333,542.65 was lost to the criminal enterprise perpetrated by executives, directors, and staff at the National Service Authority (NSA).

    Providing a breakdown during a press briefing, the A-G stated that “In the 2022/2023 service year, 350,926,977.12 was lost to the state. For the 2023/2024 service year, 32,881, 157.07 was lost to the republic.”

    He further added, “The criminal enterprise that resulted in the loss of this colossal loss of sum of money involved the creation of ghost names in the NSA payroll system by some directors and staff, which was subsequently exploited to misappropriate state funds for their gain.”

    Former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah, has been named as one of the suspects that will be charged and prosecuted.

    Former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah, was released by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) after being questioned in connection with an ongoing probe into the ghost names scandal at the NSA in March.

    Gifty Oware-Mensah was arrested on March 7,  following her return to Ghana on March 5 after being named a suspect in  ongoing probe into a ghost-name scandal after the release of an investigation by The Fourth Estate.

    The Fourth Estate’s investigation has exposed major payroll irregularities, including the fraudulent use of “ghost names” to inflate the payroll and divert funds. It revealed that officials bypassed mandatory validation processes, enabling thousands of nonexistent individuals to be added to the payroll. 

    In some cases, names were duplicated multiple times, with one appearing as many as 226 times. Among the falsely listed beneficiaries was a 72-year-old Kenyan, Kwame Donkor, along with other foreign nationals.

    Investigators identified 81,885 “ghost” names used to siphon state resources.

    Consequently, President John Dramani Mahama, in his first State of the Nation Address, directed law enforcement agencies to take firm action against those implicated.

    This has led to intensified investigations and a series of arrests. Aside from Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Director of Operations at NSA,  Kwaku Ohene Gyan was arrested on February 22, and subsequently released.

  • Gifty Oware-Mensah released from NIB custody after questioning over NSA scandal

    Gifty Oware-Mensah released from NIB custody after questioning over NSA scandal

    Former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah, has been released by the National Investigations Bureau (NIB) after being questioned in connection with an ongoing probe into the ghost names scandal at the NSA.

    Per reports, she was discharged on Saturday after several hours of questioning. Sources say she was granted bail but the terms and disclosed amount are unknown.

    Gifty Oware-Mensah was arrested on March 7,  following her return to Ghana on March 5  after being named a suspect in  an ongoing probe into a ghost-name scandal after the release of an investigation by The Fourth Estate.

    It is reported that Madam Oware-Mensah was detained despite multiple efforts to secure her bail. Sources say former New Patriotic Party (NPP) General Secretary, John Boadu, attempted to intervene to facilitate her release. However, she was later moved from the NIB premises to an undisclosed location.

    The former NSA boss following the 2024 elections had been abroad for a few months, taking a post-election break.

    Prior to her arrest, Minority Leader in Parliament, Alexander Afenyo-Markin assured that Oware-Mensah was willing to cooperate with the NIB’s investigations. Her legal team was reportedly arranging for her to meet with investigators when she was taken into custody.

    The Fourth Estate’s investigation has exposed major payroll irregularities, including the fraudulent use of “ghost names” to inflate the payroll and divert funds. It revealed that officials bypassed mandatory validation processes, enabling thousands of nonexistent individuals to be added to the payroll. 

    In some cases, names were duplicated multiple times, with one appearing as many as 226 times. Among the falsely listed beneficiaries was a 72-year-old Kenyan, Kwame Donkor, along with other foreign nationals.

    Consequently, President John Dramani Mahama, in his first State of the Nation Address, directed law enforcement agencies to take firm action against those implicated.

    This has led to intensified investigations and a series of arrests. Aside from Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Director of Operations at NSA,  Kwaku Ohene Gyan was arrested on February 22, and subsequently released.

  • I’ll advise my client not to appear before NIB without invitation – Lawyer of Gifty Oware-Mensah

    I’ll advise my client not to appear before NIB without invitation – Lawyer of Gifty Oware-Mensah

    Lawyer Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah has stated that he would not advise his client, former Deputy Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS), Gifty Oware-Mensah, to appear before the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) if she has not been officially invited.

    Speaking on JoyNews, he dismissed reports suggesting that his client had been summoned for questioning, emphasizing that no security agency had reached out to her regarding any investigation.

    “Find out from Martin Kpebu, that for the years of his practice, if no investigative body invites his client, will he advise his client to appear before an investigative body? Appearing before the investigative body as what? A busybody?” he questioned.

    “I’m not sure I’m going to engage my client, I’ll advise her very respectfully. Legal advice is like a perfume, you smell it, you don’t swallow it. So when I give it to her, she’ll make her judgment as to whether she is going to go or not,” he added.

    He firmly stated that Gifty Oware-Mensah had not been invited by the NIB or any other security agency.

    “Up until today, she had not been invited by the BNI. Up until today, no security agency has invited her.

    “I am putting it on record, Gifty Oware, up until today, has not been invited by any security agency,” he stressed.

    Addressing rumors that his client had fled the country following the arrest of Kwaku Ohene Djan, a former Deputy Executive Director of the NSA, Awuah clarified that they proactively contacted the intelligence agency to set the record straight.

    “We wrote because, following the arrest of Kwaku Ohene, there were a lot of publications that the BNI was looking for her and she had absconded.

    “Subsequently, the president went to Parliament to make a similar allusion, although her name was not mentioned. So when we put one and two together, we concluded that all references were to her,” he explained.

    To counter any speculation regarding her whereabouts, Oware-Mensah voluntarily returned to Ghana, which her lawyer argued demonstrated that she was not evading authorities.

    “Now, when you put these facts together, would you describe her as a flight risk?” he asked.

    Responding to Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin’s claim that Oware-Mensah would later meet with the NIB, Awuah clarified that this was a preemptive move to prevent unnecessary tensions.

    “The Minority Leader, seeing what had happened to Kwaku Ohene Djan, concluded that the Rambo-style of arrest did not engender peace and might lead to protests, which would not augur well for the work of the BNI.

    “So he went out of his way to ensure that certain arrangements were made so that people were not picked up in that manner,” he explained.

    Expressing dissatisfaction with how information about his client had been handled, Awuah questioned the source of reports suggesting she was wanted by security agencies.

    “I’m putting it on record that Gifty has not been invited by anybody, so I don’t know who even briefed the president. It’s unfortunate,” he said.

    Former Deputy Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware Mensah, arrived at Kotoka International Airport (KIA) on Tuesday as investigations continue into an alleged payroll fraud scheme at the Authority.

    This follows President John Mahama’s directive to declare former heads of the NSA wanted after a financial scandal in which a headcount uncovered 81,885 fraudulent entries on the payroll.

    Her return comes amid reports that the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had been searching for her in connection with the scheme, which was exposed by The Fourth Estate and could have cost the state over GH¢50 million in fraudulent payments every month if left undetected.

    According to reports, she had been in the United States after the elections but arrived in Ghana on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 4, where she was received by relatives at the airport.

  • NIB nor any security agency has invited Gifty Oware-Mensah for questioning – Lawyer

    NIB nor any security agency has invited Gifty Oware-Mensah for questioning – Lawyer

    The lawyer representing the former Deputy Director of the National Service Scheme (NSS) has denied reports that his client has been summoned by the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) for questioning.

    Speaking on JoyNews, Nana Agyei Baffour Awuah emphasized that no law enforcement agency has reached out to Gifty Oware-Mensah regarding any investigation.

    “Up until today, she had not been invited by the BNI. Up until today, no security agency has invited her.

    “I am putting it on record, Gifty Oware, up until today, has not been invited by any security agency,” he stated.

    He clarified that after the arrest of Kwaku Ohene Djan, a former Deputy Executive Director of the NSA, speculation arose suggesting that NIB was searching for Oware-Mensah and that she had fled the country.

    To address these claims, he said they reached out to the intelligence agency to set the record straight.

    “We wrote because, following the arrest of Kwaku Ohene, there were a lot of publications that the BNI was looking for her and she had absconded.

    “Subsequently, the president went to Parliament to make a similar allusion, although her name was not mentioned. So when we put one and two together, we concluded that all references were to her,” Mr Awuah said.

    Despite never being officially asked to appear, Oware-Mensah voluntarily returned to Ghana to dispel any suspicions about her whereabouts.

    “Now, when you put these facts together, would you describe her as a flight risk?” he questioned.

    Responding to remarks by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who stated that Oware-Mensah would later meet with the NIB, Awuah clarified that this was a preemptive move to avoid unnecessary tensions.

    “The Minority Leader, seeing what had happened to Kwaku Ohene Djan, concluded that the rambo-style of arrest did not engender peace and might lead to protests, which would not augur well for the work of the BNI.

    “So he went out of his way to ensure that certain arrangements were made so that people were not picked up in that manner,” Mr Awuah explained.

    He also voiced concerns about how information regarding his client had been handled, arguing that “I’m putting it on record that Gifty has not been invited by anybody, so I don’t know who even briefed the president. It’s unfortunate.”

  • GFA denies reports of looming elections over Gifty Mensah’s alleged absence – Reports

    GFA denies reports of looming elections over Gifty Mensah’s alleged absence – Reports

    The Ghana Football Association (GFA) has refuted reports suggesting that a by-election will be held to replace Gifty Oware-Mensah on the Executive Council, according to a publication by GhanaSoccerNet.com.

    Contrary to speculation, Oware-Mensah remains actively involved in GFA affairs and has been participating in meetings, including a recent high-level discussion on football-related matters.

    The GFA has clarified that there are no plans to replace any Executive Council member and has urged the public to disregard such claims.

    Rumors of her removal surfaced following allegations that she had been absent from recent council meetings and had left the country.

    This speculation was further fueled by her association with the National Service Scheme (NSS) scandal, where over 80,000 ghost names were allegedly uncovered on the scheme’s personnel list during her tenure as Deputy Executive Director.

    Despite the controversy, Oware-Mensah continues to play a significant role in Ghanaian football. She owns Berry Ladies FC and also serves as the Chairperson of the Black Queens’ Management Committee.

  • NSS Deputy Director involved in scholarship saga is a member of GFA’s Executive Council

    NSS Deputy Director involved in scholarship saga is a member of GFA’s Executive Council

    Five months ago, Deputy Director of the National Service Secretariat (NSS), Gifty Oware-Mensah, who has been implicated in a recent exposé by The Fourth Estate, on affluent individuals who allegedly obtained scholarships meant for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged Ghanaians, was made a member of the Ghana Football Association’s (GFA) Executive Council.

    The Ghana Football Association broke the news about the swearing-in ceremony of its new Executive Council on Monday, October 9, 2023.

    Members of the newly elected Executive Council were sworn into office for a four-year mandate.

    Present at the meeting were President Kurt Edwin Simeon-Okraku, Mark Addo, Dr. Ransford Abbey, Kingsley Osei Bonsu, Frederick Acheampong, Nana Sarfo Oduro, Dr. Gifty Oware-Mensah, Eugene Nobel Amon Noel and Gideon Fosu.

    The Members signed the Oath of Office and the Oath of Confidentially. James Kwesi Appiah was absent with permission of the GFA President.

    Gifty Oware-Mensah, aside from working at the NSS, owns Berry Ladies FC, a female football formerly known as Halifax Ladies FC, which is currently playing in Ghana’s women premier league.

    Per reports, Gifty who has denied receiving any scholarship, “obtained a government scholarship of GBP18,450 (GBP means Great British Pound) to study at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom in 2020 to pursue an MSc in Development Policy and Politics.”

    It is said that she received the scholarship three years after she started working for the Secretariat.

    According to the Fourth Estate, they reached out to her on January 19, 2024, and her response was “From 2019, my name has been Gifty Oware-Mensah. Let me call Kingsley [Agyemang] and get back. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let me speak to them and get back to you.”

    The Fourth Estate further reported that “She later sent a text message that she was driving to Sunyani and would revert. Subsequent calls to her did not yield result.”

  • NSS boss Gifty Oware-Mensah’s X account deactivated following scholarship scandal

    NSS boss Gifty Oware-Mensah’s X account deactivated following scholarship scandal

    The Deputy Director of the National Service Secretariat (NSS), Gifty Oware-Mensah, in a recent development, has deactivated her social media accounts following her implication in a scholarship scandal exposed by investigative journalist Manasseh Azure’s The Fourth Estate.

    Oware-Mensah was identified among affluent individuals allegedly benefiting from scholarships intended for academically gifted but financially disadvantaged Ghanaians.

    Reports indicate that she secured a government scholarship worth GBP18,450 to pursue an MSc in Development Policy and Politics at the University of Birmingham in the United Kingdom in 2020. This scholarship was allegedly obtained three years into her tenure at the Secretariat.

    When approached for comment on January 19, 2024, Oware-Mensah initially denied any knowledge of the scholarship, stating, “From 2019, my name has been Gifty Oware-Mensah. Let me call Kingsley [Agyemang] and get back. I don’t know what you’re talking about. Let me speak to them and get back to you.”

    Despite promises to follow up, subsequent attempts to reach her proved futile.

    Aside from her role at the NSS, Oware-Mensah is also known for owning Berry Ladies FC, formerly Halifax Ladies FC, a team competing in Ghana’s women’s premier league.

    Meanwhile, the 2023/24 NSS personnel have demanded the government to settle their outstanding allowance arrears, as they claim not to have received payment for the past two months.

    Oware-Mensah’s decision to deactivate her social media accounts, particularly her ‘X’ account where she is usually active, has sparked speculation among users. Some believe that she took this action due to potential backlash following The Fourth Estate’s expose. However, her Instagram account remains accessible to the public.

  • GFA General Secretary promises fair and transparent elections in 2023

    GFA General Secretary promises fair and transparent elections in 2023

    Prosper Harrison Addo, the General Secretary of the Ghana Football Association (GFA), has made a resounding commitment that the next GFA elections will stand as a monument to openness and justice. This is a crucial gesture to protect the integrity of Ghanaian football.

    This reassurance follows the election committee’s announcement that Kurt Okraku, the incumbent, and George Afriyie, a formidable candidate and a former vice president of the organisation, will square off in the GFA Presidential contest.

    According to the election roadmap, the vetting process will start on August 21 and go through August 25 in preparation for the Elective Congress, which is slated for September 27.

    In this decisive moment for Ghanaian football, eleven football administrators, including Kingsley Osei Bonsu, Nana Sarfo Oduro, Frederick Acheampong, Dr. Tony Aubynn, Dr. Randy Abbey, Onyina Asenso, Edmund Ackah, Kwesi Appiah, Elloeny Amande, Raphael Gyambrah, and Alhaji Moro Akambi, are set to compete for five Executive Committee (Exco) positions within the Premier League clubs.

    GFA Vice President Mark Addo, Samuel Anim Addo, Eugene Nii Amon, Gideon Fosu, and Alexander Ababio are vying for the three slots up for grabs on the Division One League Clubs Exco in a tight race.

    Gifty Oware-Mensah, the bankroller of Berry Ladies, is running unopposed for a position on the Women’s Football Clubs Exco, highlighting her unique standing within this group.

    In addition, 19 other administrators will be running for seats as chairmen of regional football associations, demonstrating the depth of interest in and commitment to guiding Ghanaian football’s future at the regional level.