Gifty Oware-Mensah, former Deputy Executive Director of the National Service Authority (NSA), has pleaded not guilty to charges of stealing over GH¢38 million through the creation of ghost names in a National Service Scheme fraud case.
Appearing before the Accra High Court on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, with a bandaged wrist and dressed in a multicolored shirt and black scarf, Oware-Mensah denied all five charges: one count of stealing, two counts of willfully causing financial loss to the Republic, one count of using public office for profit, and one count of money laundering.
The Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Mrs. Yvonne Atakora Obuobisa, told the court that the accused manipulated the NSA’s “marketplace” loan platform, which was designed to support National Service Personnel (NSP) through hire-purchase arrangements.
Investigations revealed that Oware-Mensah generated 9,934 fake names from the NSA’s Central Management System (CMS) and used them to secure loans under false pretenses from ADB Bank. She allegedly transferred GH¢22.9 million to Amaecom Global Company — where she serves as a director — and diverted the remaining funds to three other entities. No goods were ever supplied to service personnel.
In court, lawyer Nana Banyin Ackon, holding brief for Garry Nimako Marfo, argued for bail as high-profile political figures, including former NPP General Secretary Samuel Boadu and MP Ralph Opoku Adusei, observed proceedings closely.
The case highlights serious concerns over financial oversight and accountability within the NSA, which operates under the Ministry of Education to manage national service deployment under Act 1119 (2024).
