No ‘Bagawire’, Ex-NSA Iron-Lady Touches Down! …Ready To Face NIB Interrogators

The embattled former deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware-Mensah has returned to Ghana, despite the alleged scandal emanating from the office she once held.

She arrived in Ghana on Tuesday, March 4, 2025 at a time when the National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) had commenced a probe into an alleged fraud, said to have been done when she was at post.

Following the commencement of the investigation by the NIB, news broke that Gifty Oware-Mensah was out of the jurisdiction, making it impossible for the NIB to question her over the alleged crime.

However, it is expected that she would make herself available to assist the NIB investigation into the alleged illegality at the NSA.

 

NO HARASSMENT

Meanwhile, the Minority Leader, Alexander Afenyo-Markin, who spoke to journalists yesterday, moments after she arrived in the country, confirmed that she was not harassed by the state security.

He also indicated that her lawyers had been in touch with the NIB and would make herself available to assist with investigations.

“I think the understanding basically is that we are a country of rule of law and there should be no such Rambo-Style approach to arrests and all. I’m aware that Gifty arrived this afternoon. I’ve been in touch with her. She’s here in Ghana. She arrived this afternoon.

“Her lawyers are in touch with the National Investigation Bureau and I’m sure that she’s going to make herself available. And then whatever the State’s investigation authorities have, they would have to pursue within the due process of law.”

WITCH-HUNTING

The Minority Leader avoided the temptation to think of a possible witch-hunting of former appointees by the new government.

According to him, the NPP respects the rule of law and would want all due processes to be followed in ensuring accountability.

“Well, I would not rush in drawing certain conclusions. My view is that NPP is not against accountability, I included. We’ve been in public service. We are out of the office. Obviously, if the new government needs former officials to explain certain matters in one way or the other, it’s within their right to pursue it.

“And if it means investigating, there should be no problem. What is important is to follow that due process. And once due process is being followed, why not?” he stated.

The NIB recently detained and questioned Kwaku Ohene Djan, also a former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority, over the raging allegation.

BACKGROUND

The NIB is probing Gifty Oware-Mensah over allegations that thousands of ghost names were inserted into the payroll of the NSA. The alleged fraud is reported to have cost the state a staggering GH¢50 million each month, but it is not clear how long the alleged crime went unnoticed.

The government says it has uncovered a significant discrepancy in the National Service payroll, revealing 81,885 suspected ghost names.

This figure represents the difference between the actual number of active personnel and the payroll data submitted by the previous management of the National Service Authority.

According to the latest findings, there are currently 98,145 active service personnel, a stark contrast to the 180,030 names presented for allowance payment in 2024.

“This figure is 81,885 less than the 180,030 names presented by the previous management of the Authority for allowance payment in 2024,” the statement read.

The 81,885 names that have been flagged as potentially fraudulent or inflated could represent a major misuse of public funds.

As the Deputy Executive Director, Gifty Oware-Mensah had responsibility for the administration and finance of the NSS and is suspected to be a key witness in the ongoing investigations.

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