Gifty Oware Mensah pleads not guilty to GH¢38m fraud, granted GH¢10m bail

A former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), Gifty Oware Mensah, has pleaded not guilty to charges of causing financial loss of more than GH¢38 million to the state.

Mrs. Oware Mensah appeared before the Accra High Court on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, where she was formally charged with five counts—including willfully causing financial loss to the state, stealing, money laundering, and using public office for profit.

Prosecutors allege that during her tenure, the accused generated approximately 9,934 non-existent National Service personnel, and unlawfully profited from the monthly allowances disbursed under those ghost names.

The alleged infractions are said to have resulted in financial losses amounting to more than GH¢38 million to the government.

The case forms part of ongoing efforts by state authorities to clamp down on administrative and financial irregularities within public institutions, particularly those involving payroll fraud and ghost name syndicates.

Bail granted

Her counsel, Nanabayin Ackon, in an application for bail, argued that his client was a responsible public servant with a fixed place of abode and no intention of interfering with investigations. He maintained that Mrs. Oware Mensah had cooperated fully with investigators and was not a flight risk.

The court, after considering the application, granted bail in the sum of GH¢10 million, with three sureties, two of whom must be justified.

As part of the bail conditions, the court directed Mrs. Oware Mensah to deposit all her passports with the court’s registry and to report to the police on the first Tuesday and Thursday of every month until the case is determined.

The prosecution is expected to file and serve all witness statements and evidentiary documents before the next hearing date. The case has been adjourned to November 18, 2025, for case management.